Antonelli wins Austin, edging toward F1 title; Sinner joins the praise

Austin win puts the title within reach

Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix in Austin, his ninth victory of the season according to Fanpage, leaving the 20-year-old Mercedes driver one step from the Formula 1 world championship. He took pole position, made a strong start and won with a single pit stop, while Verstappen, Hamilton and Leclerc each stopped twice. Adnkronos reports that the title could be settled in Mexico but is more likely to come in Brazil. Repubblica puts the decisive point in Mexico, where a finish of ninth or better would be enough to clinch the championship and make Antonelli the youngest world champion in the history of the sport. Fanpage gives the Mexican race as 1 November, and the timeline below shows both dates.

Sinner adds his congratulations

Jannik Sinner, described by Repubblica as the world number one in tennis, posted an Instagram story on the morning of 26 October showing Antonelli celebrating with his team. Sinner, a keen motorsport fan and friend of the Mercedes driver, wrote a short message under the clip and added a heart and the Italian flag. Adnkronos notes that Sinner has been forced to skip the rest of the season after a knee injury picked up following his Wimbledon final win. The post read:

“Congratulations on another win, Kimi. Fortissimo.”

Wolff and the long road to the title

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told Sky Sport that the title is the product of nine years of work, starting with karting and continuing through years of development with the engineers. He recalled that Antonelli was promoted to Formula 1 more than a year ago while barely of age, and that many critics said he was too young. Wolff also reminded reporters that Antonelli went nine races without scoring points last year, arguing that this season's success did not come from an overnight breakthrough. Wolff said the team will finish the job first and then celebrate, with tequila if the party happens in Mexico or with mojitos if it waits until the next weekend in Brazil.

Podium banter over alcohol and tequila

Fanpage reports that Leclerc and Verstappen teased Antonelli in the area behind the podium, joking about how he would celebrate a title he has not yet won. Under the rules Fanpage describes, alcohol is off limits for Antonelli in the United States because he is 20, but not in Mexico. Leclerc reportedly suggested the discussion would be settled in Mexico, while Verstappen moved the conversation to tequila and post-race parties. Antonelli did not appear eager to discuss the subject, and according to Fanpage he avoided saying the word 'world title' himself while the other two drivers did not. Both rivals were in a playful mood, and the banter ended before the podium ceremony began.