Antonelli’s chance to win the title, Verstappen chasing three in a row and more: What to expect in the United States Grand Prix
Formula One returns to the Lone Star State for the 2026 United States Grand Prix with the first matchpoint in the Drivers’ Championship setting us up for a weekend full of anticipation and high energy.
After a smooth qualifying session where he clinched pole from Max Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli heads into the Grand Prix with the possibility of securing the title if things go his way.
From Antonelli’s championship dream inching closer to Verstappen’s chase for a third consecutive victory in a season that began with difficulty, here’s everything you can expect from the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday.
Will the youngest F1 champion in history be crowned in Austin?
The headlines this weekend have been dominated by Antonelli’s first real chance of being crowned the youngest F1 champion in history, and after securing pole, the Mercedes driver is in the best position he can manage to make that possibility come true.
To lift the biggest trophy this weekend, Antonelli will have to first win the race, for which he’s in a prime position. Additionally, George Russell will need to finish no higher than ninth while Lewis Hamilton will need to be no higher than fifth when the chequered flag falls.
Russell lines up sixth for the race, while Hamilton starts fifth on the grid.
Of the many things that will need to go Antonelli’s way this race, securing the win will be the only factor the young Italian will be concerned with. If the other permutations fail to result in the title, the next chance Antonelli would have of wrapping up the championship will be next round in Mexico.
Red Bull’s charge for a third consecutive victory
Verstappen and Red Bull have been on a hot streak lately, taking their maiden win of the season and the first with their own power unit at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia and following it up with another win last time out in Singapore.
A third consecutive victory is no doubt the goal for the team this weekend, with Verstappen starting second and Isack Hadjar right behind him in third. Expect the pair to pile the pressure on Antonelli as they put their newfound performance boost to use and try to give the team another reason to celebrate this weekend, after Red Bull driver Alisha Palmowski secured the 2026 F1 Academy title on Saturday.
Can Ferrari rediscover their Friday pace?
It has been another typical weekend for Ferrari, and not in the way they’d like. After dominating the practice sessions, qualifying saw them bag only fourth for Charles Leclerc and fifth for Hamilton.
Although most teams didn’t improve in Q3, Ferrari were at least hoping to be in the mix for the front row.
The race will be a damage limitation drive for the Scuderia, seeing as they clearly had the pace on Friday but failed to maximise their potential on Saturday. Be it strategy or well-timed interventions, their goal will be to fight past Isack Hadjar and take a podium finish in what could’ve been a conversation for the victory had qualifying gone their way.
Tense midfield battles
The scrap for the last of the points is set to be an exciting one this race, as ever. Liam Lawson leads as the best of the rest in ninth with Pierre Gasly in 10th.
Gasly will be eager to close down the gap that has recently widened between Alpine and Racing Bulls, while behind him, Nico Hülkenberg and Fernando Alonso will be contending to add more points to their name this season.
If any of these tussles lead to possible interventions, things could dramatically change for the front-runners of the race.
Meanwhile, although Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad made it to the top 10 in qualifying, the rookie was hit with a five-place engine penalty, dropping him to 14th. The Briton would be another driver to keep an eye on as he sets off on his recovery drive.
Can any of the home teams make it to the points?
We have not one, but two American teams on the grid for the second American round this year.
While both Haas and Cadillac haven’t enjoyed a sunny season, with more challenges coming their way than causes for celebration, the Circuit of the Americas and home crowd will be an extra reason to push for points during the race.
Oliver Bearman starts on the fringes of the points in 13th with teammate Esteban Ocon in 15th, while the Cadillac pair start 19th and 20th respectively. A hard ask for the Cadillac pair, but Haas in the hands of Bearman could still dream of the top 10 on home soil.
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