Sports News

Antonelli wins in Austin and needs two points for the title: how outlets told it

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on Sunday, starting from pole and taking his ninth win of the season. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished second, 13.078 seconds behind, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen third, according to the Reuters report carried by The Star. Teammate George Russell, his closest rival, was only eighth.

The Japan Times put the title maths in its standfirst: Antonelli now needs only two points in Mexico City, a ninth-place finish, to be sure of the championship even if Russell wins. At 20 he would be Formula One's youngest-ever champion. He leads Russell by 123 points with 125 still available.

“It was the result we needed and the whole team deserve it so much.” — Kimi Antonelli, via The Star (Reuters)

Before the race, the South China Morning Post had carried Verstappen's advice to the young Italian: enjoy the ride and get ready to celebrate. BBC Sport handed the story to its pundits, with Guenther Steiner and Damon Hill discussing a driver who, in the words of its headline, does not feel pressure.

How each outlet framed it

• The Japan Times — the title arithmetic: two points in Mexico City.
• South China Morning Post — the rival's view: Verstappen telling Antonelli to enjoy it.
• BBC Sport — temperament: why the 20-year-old seems so relaxed.
• The Star (Reuters) — the race itself: pole, a one-stop strategy and the gaps behind him.

What we don't know yet: whether Antonelli will settle it in Mexico City or later. With 125 points left, only a very bad weekend would keep the title race open.