Kimi Antonelli is just one step away from becoming Formula 1 world champion after securing another victory at the United States Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver now holds a commanding 123-point advantage over George Russell, with five races remaining and 125 points still available. Crucially, the Italian could secure his maiden title as early as next weekend in Mexico City.

Antonelli's ninth victory of the season took his tally to 365 points, while Russell's eighth-place finish in Austin left the Briton on 242. Lewis Hamilton remains mathematically in contention after finishing fourth, moving to 241 points, just one behind his former Mercedes teammate.

Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc are also still in the championship picture, sitting on 236 and 233 points respectively. However, neither can prevent Antonelli from securing the title in Mexico, regardless of their results.

Photo: Race Pictures

How can Antonelli win the F1 world championship in Mexico?

With five Grands Prix remaining on the calendar, a maximum of 125 points are still up for grabs. Once the Mexican Grand Prix is completed, that figure will drop to 100, meaning Antonelli only needs to maintain a sufficient advantage over his closest rivals to become mathematically unreachable.

The calculations are firmly in the Italian's favour. His nine victories this season also mean he would win the championship on countback if another driver managed to finish level on points.

As a result, Antonelli has several ways of securing the title in Mexico:

• Ninth place or higher: Antonelli is guaranteed to become world champion, regardless of where his rivals finish.
• Tenth place: The Italian still clinches the title unless Russell wins the race.
• Outside the points: Antonelli becomes champion provided neither Russell nor Hamilton takes victory.

Even if Antonelli fails to score, a second-place finish for either Russell or Hamilton would not be enough to keep the championship alive.

Could Antonelli become champion before the Mexican Grand Prix?

The final five rounds of the season are currently scheduled to take place in Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. However, uncertainty surrounding the final two events could have a significant impact on the championship.

If either the Qatar or Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is officially cancelled without being replaced, only four races would remain, reducing the maximum available points to 100.

With Antonelli already holding a 123-point advantage over Russell, such a development would immediately make the Italian mathematically unreachable, securing his first world championship without needing to compete in another race.

For now, however, all five rounds remain on the calendar, leaving Antonelli with the opportunity to seal the title on track at the Mexican Grand Prix on 1 November.