Formula 1
Next: US GP, Austin, 23–25 OctKimi Antonelli can win the world title in Austin, but it would take a lot to go right. The Mercedes driver leads team-mate George Russell by 102 points with six races left and 150 on offer, so he must leave Texas with a lead of at least 125. That means winning the United States Grand Prix, with Russell no higher than ninth and Lewis Hamilton no higher than fifth. Lose any of those and the fight moves on, with Mexico City the next stop.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff called a clinch in Austin 'not a likely scenario', saying it 'probably needs the other two, George and Lewis, to retire and him winning', and that the title is more likely to come in Mexico or Brazil. Antonelli, who finished third in Singapore behind winner Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, admits: 'I know it's very close.' Victory would make him the youngest champion in F1 history.
The run-in is not entirely settled: The Star reports that the Qatar and Abu Dhabi rounds are uncertain because of the Middle East conflict. Mercedes lead the constructors' table on 578 over Ferrari on 444.
- Singapore GP (11 Oct): 1 Verstappen, 2 Leclerc, 3 Antonelli, 4 Norris, 5 Piastri
- Drivers: Antonelli 340, Russell 238, Hamilton 229, Verstappen 221
- Constructors: Mercedes 578, Ferrari 444, McLaren 339, Red Bull 332
- Antonelli clinches in Austin (Sun 25 Oct) only with a win, Russell 9th or lower and Hamilton 5th or lower
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If you're new to this
Formula 1 is a world championship for single-seater racing cars. Each season has around two dozen race weekends across the world, called Grands Prix. Ten teams used to compete, and the 2026 grid has 11, with Audi and Cadillac among the newer names.
Drivers score points in each race: 25 for a win, then 18, 15, 12, 10, 8, 6, 4, 2 and 1 for places two to ten. Some weekends also include a shorter sprint race with a smaller points scale. Points add up across the season, and the driver with the most is world champion.
A separate constructors' championship adds up both of a team's drivers' points. Teams care about it because the prize money depends on it.
The sport changed its rules for 2026, with new engines and chassis regulations, which is one reason the order at the front looks different from recent years.