​Formula 1 returns to the Circuit of the Americas this weekend for the United States Grand Prix – as Kimi Antonelli stands on the cusp of his first world championship. The 20-year-old Italian holds a 102-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell and will win his first title if he wins this Sunday’s grand prix and Russell finishes ninth or lower. Antonelli, who starts on pole, also needs Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton to finish fifth or lower. A podium last time out in Singapore extended Antonelli’s lead, as Max Verstappen claimed his second victory in a row amid a Red Bull resurgence this season. Russell, meanwhile, only finished ninth and crashed out of the sprint race in Marina Bay. The popular race in Austin is the start of another triple-header, with Mexico and Brazil to follow in the weeks ahead. Verstappen was victorious at COTA last year. Driver standings after United States GP1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 365 points2. George Russell (Mercedes) – 242 points3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 241 points4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 236 points5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 233 points6. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 211 points7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 144 points8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 105 points9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 77 points10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 42 points11. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – 38 points 12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 27 points13. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 23 points14. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 13 points15. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 10 points16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 7 points17. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 7 points18. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 7 points19. Alex Albon (Williams) – 5 points20. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) – 1 point21. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 0 points22. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – 0 points23. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – 0 pointsConstructor standings after United States GP (TBC)1. Mercedes – 578 points2. Ferrari – 444 points3. McLaren – 339 points4. Red Bull – 332 points5. Racing Bulls – 100 points6. Alpine – 68 points7. Haas – 30 points8. Audi – 23 points9. Williams – 12 points10. Aston Martin – 7 points11. Cadillac – 0 pointsWhat is the 2026 race calendar? ROUND 18 – UNITED STATES Circuit of the Americas, Austin – 23-25 October ROUND 19 – MEXICO Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City – 30 October-1 November ROUND 20 – BRAZIL Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo – 6-8 November ROUND 21 – LAS VEGAS Las Vegas Street Circuit – 19-21 November ROUND 22 – QATAR Lusail International Circuit – 27-29 November ROUND 23 – ABU DHABI Yas Marina Circuit – 4-6 December