# Antonelli superb and Leclerc close to perfect – driver ratings

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/antonelli-superb-and-leclerc-close-to-perfect-driver-ratings/
- Published: 2026-10-26T01:48:02+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-26T03:38:12+00:00
- Original publisher: BBC Sport (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/formula1/articles/cmpwgnekx1e0o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss
- Topics: Americas, Motorsport, Sport, World

## Key points

- Antonelli won his ninth race of the season in Austin.
- He can clinch the title with ninth place or better in Mexico.
- Leclerc finished second after a strong weekend.

## Summary

Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix in Austin, with Charles Leclerc second and Max Verstappen third. Antonelli’s ninth win of the season puts him within reach of becoming Formula 1’s youngest world champion: he will secure the title if he finishes ninth or higher at next weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.

The ratings praised Antonelli’s pole lap and race management, while Leclerc was described as close to perfect after strong practice, qualifying and late passes. Verstappen recovered from a poor start to take another podium, and other drivers’ results reflected strategy, penalties and car problems. The supplied article text ends part-way through the ratings, so it does not include every driver’s assessment.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.