Antonelli eyes youngest F1 crown in Austin after Verstappen sweep
Kimi Antonelli can become the youngest Formula 1 world champion in Austin on 25 October.
The 20-year-old arrives at the Circuit of the Americas with his first chance to settle the title. Victory in Texas would do it, provided Mercedes team-mate George Russell finishes ninth or lower and Lewis Hamilton finishes fifth or lower. BBC Sport
That is a narrow path. Antonelli has to win, which means beating every rival across 56 laps, and he also needs both of his closest challengers to endure difficult afternoons. Miss on any part and the fight moves on to Mexico.
He heads to the United States Grand Prix off the back of a dominant weekend for Max Verstappen in Singapore. Verstappen took pole position, which means he started at the front after setting the fastest time in qualifying, and then won both the sprint, a shorter race that also carries points, and the main grand prix. They were his first victories at the Marina Bay Circuit. Charles Leclerc finished second, Antonelli third and Hamilton sixth. BBC Sport
For fans, this means every battle matters in Austin. A move for the lead is suddenly linked to a scrap for ninth. A pass for fifth could be the pass that keeps the championship alive.
Round 18 of the 2026 season runs on 23-25 October at the Circuit of the Americas. Sunday's race is scheduled for 56 laps, with lights out at 20:00 GMT. It is officially listed as the Formula 1 MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix 2026 in Austin, Texas.
The BBC will carry the race across BBC Radio 5 Live, 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app. First practice on Friday 23 October is 18:30-19:30, followed by second practice from 22:00-23:00. Third practice and qualifying follow the same pattern on Saturday 24 October, with race-day build-up from 19:30 on Sunday ahead of the start. BBC Sport
Listeners should watch the clock. Friday and Saturday sessions are listed in BST, while Sunday is in GMT because the UK puts the clocks back on race day.
