Max Verstappen can no longer win the 2026 World Drivers’ Championship after Kimi Antonelli claims his ninth win of the season at the United States Grand Prix.
The four-time winner is mathematically out of contention for the title for the first time since the 2020 Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, ending a run of 2,184 days where he had been in the fight until the championship was decided.
Verstappen finished third in Austin after starting from second; a slow start saw him overtaken by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc on the opening lap, and unusual mistakes and inconsistencies with Red Bull held the team back.
Despite winning back-to-back Grands Prix in Malaysia and Singapore, it was an unlikely task for the Dutch driver to close the gap to Antonelli, who, barring any unforeseen issues, will be crowned Champion in Mexico.
