Can Kimi Antonelli win the title in F1 2026 in Austin? How is the championship race going with Russell, Hamilton and Verstappen still in contention?

Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers’ standings in F1. (Image credit: F1/Instagram) Max Verstappen has made another second-half comeback, similar to 2025. He has suffered two DNFs in his last 10 races, won back-to-back races in Malaysia and Singapore and collected six podium finishes. But despite his recent form, the championship remains well out of his reach as Kimi Antonelli closes in on the title.Formula 1 has reached a stage in the season where the fight for the title is no longer just about race results. The points table is starting to tell its own story and Antonelli has a significant advantage over the chasing pack.The Mercedes youngster finished third at the Singapore Grand Prix, where Verstappen won. George Russell could only finish ninth after starting from the back due to an engine penalty, allowing Antonelli to extend his championship lead to 102 points.Antonelli now has 340 points, Russell on 238, Lewis Hamilton on 229, Verstappen on 221, Charles Leclerc on 215 and Lando Norris on 201. With six races remaining, the maximum 150 points are still up for grabs. All six are mathematically in contention, but the task facing Antonelli’s opponents is becoming increasingly difficult.The next stop is Austin, Texas from October 23-25. Antonelli has the opportunity to become the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history, although the title cannot be decided by his result alone. The placing of the other competitors will also decide whether the championship remains open.

1. Kimi Antonelli: One win away from history?

Kimi Antonelli (Getty Images)

Current Points: 340 | Championship lead: 102 pointsIf Antonelli wins in Austin, he will move to 365 points. To decide the title this weekend, Russell must finish ninth or lower, while Hamilton must finish fifth or lower. Verstappen’s result will also be crucial.If Russell finishes ninth, he will move to 240 points, leaving him 125 behind Antonelli and only 125 points available after Austin. Antonelli would retain the advantage in the countdown as he had already won more races.If Hamilton finishes fifth, he will reach 239 points, putting him 126 behind Antonelli and out of reach with five rounds remaining.

2. George Russell: Nearest challenger

Mercedes driver George Russell

Current points: 238 | Gap to Antonelli: 102 pointsAntonelli’s Mercedes team-mate Russell remains his closest challenger, but the gap has now stretched to more than four race wins. He has 238 points and can collect a maximum of 150 more over the last six Grands Prix.If Russell wins all the remaining races, he will finish with 388 points. Even then the title would not be guaranteed. Antonelli wouldn’t need to score more than 47 points in those six races to finish ahead of Russell.

3. Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari needs a huge turnaround

Lewis Hamilton (Image credit: Getty Images)

Current points: 229 | Gap to Antonelli: 111 pointsSeven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has 229 points, 111 behind Antonelli. If he wins all six remaining Grand Prix, he can reach a maximum of 379 points.For Hamilton to finish ahead, Antonelli would not need to score more than 38 points over the same period. Austin is particularly important. If Antonelli wins, Hamilton must finish fourth or better to keep his title hopes mathematically alive. Fifth or lower would leave him too far behind with five races remaining.

4. Max Verstappen: Singaporean winner needs extra charge

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (Reuters)

Current points: 221 | Gap to Antonelli: 119 pointsVerstappen arrives in Austin after back-to-back victories in Malaysia and Singapore. The Red Bull driver has shown he can put together a winning run at the end of the season, but despite his recent results he remains 119 points behind Antonelli.Verstappen can reach 371 points if he wins every remaining Grand Prix. To finish ahead of Antonelli, he needs to score at least 120 points on the championship leader in the last six rounds. Even if Verstappen wins all six, Antonelli cannot score more than 30 points during that period for the Red Bull driver to finish in front.

Leclerc and Norris face an uphill battle

Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris also face a steep climb. Leclerc has 215 points, while Norris is sixth with 201. Leclerc can reach 365 points by winning every remaining race, while Norris can finish with a maximum of 351. Both need a big turnaround in results, with Antonelli losing points while they achieve near-perfect results.If Antonelli wins in Austin, Leclerc and Norris will drop out of the championship race, assuming other results leave the Italian out of their reach.

Can Antonelli seal the title in Austin?

Antonelli’s 102-point lead gives him a strong chance of ending the championship early, but the result in Austin depends on the results of his closest rivals.He needs to win, Russell needs to finish ninth or lower and Hamilton needs to finish fifth or lower. Verstappen must also not win for Antonelli to secure the title that weekend.If these results fall, Antonelli will become the youngest world champion in the history of Formula 1. Otherwise, the championship fight will continue until the remaining five rounds.