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 GP

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 365 points

2. George Russell (Mercedes) - 242 points

3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 241 points

4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 236 points

5. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 233 points

6. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 211 points

7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 144 points

8. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) - 105 points

9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 77 points

10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 42 points

11. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 38 points

12. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) - 27 points

13. Ollie Bearman (Haas) - 23 points

14. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) - 13 points

15. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) - 10 points

16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) - 7 points

17. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) - 7 points

18. Carlos Sainz (Williams) - 7 points

19. Alex Albon (Williams) - 5 points

20. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) - 1 point

21. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - 0 points

22. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) - 0 points

23. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) - 0 points

Constructor standings after United States GP (TBC)

1. Mercedes - 578 points

2. Ferrari - 444 points

3. McLaren - 339 points

4. Red Bull - 332 points

5. Racing Bulls - 100 points

6. Alpine - 68 points

7. Haas - 30 points

8. Audi - 23 points

9. Williams - 12 points

10. Aston Martin - 7 points

11. Cadillac - 0 points

What 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