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Kimi Antonelli was made to wait another week for his crowning moment despite dominating the United States Grand Prix. The 20-year-old started from pole and calmly rode the wave of a mid-race Max Verstappen push to convert it into his ninth win of the year. But he needed Lewis Hamilton to finish no higher than fifth and George Russell to drop to ninth or below in Austin to mathematically secure glory with five rounds to go. And both Brits did enough this time to delay the coronation of Formula One's youngest ever champion.
Antonelli got the launch off the line he would have dreamt of on Saturday night, helped by Red Bull's remaining weakness compromising Verstappen off the line. The Dutchman's reaction time was good and team-mate Isack Hadjar was quicker off the clutch than Charles Leclerc behind.
Still, both Red Bull were swallowed up by Leclerc, though Verstappen made short work of taking back second place from the Ferrari. But it put him well out of overtake range of Antonelli up ahead and so Red Bull had to pivot.
They pulled Verstappen into the pits early, putting him on soft tyres and all-but committing him to a two-stop strategy. Mercedes, on the other hand, were content to keep Antonelli out despite Verstappen quickly closing in as the fastest man on track on those softs.
He surrendered the lead when Verstappen was 13 seconds behind, pitting for hard tyres to get to the end of the race but handing track position to the Dutchman. That is the sort of position Verstappen loves, but it all began to unravel when he suddenly reported over the radio: "I must have a problem with my car, it's undriveable."
To make matters worse, when new race engineer Tom Hart replied to tell him they had spotted an engine braking issue, Verstappen cut across to say he couldn't hear the reply. Red Bull have had radio problems all year, and the latest struck at a far-from ideal time.
They pulled in Verstappen on the next lap for his second change of tyres, suffered a slow stop, and put him back out on track more than 18 seconds adrift of Antonelli, back in front after a stylish overtake on Leclerc. The championship leader was doing his bit, but still needed results further back to go his way to seal his maiden title.
Hamilton dropped to sixth with 17 laps to go, Ferrari deciding a second visit to the pit lane was the best way to try to get both their drivers on the podium. The seven-time world champion made light work of Hadjar to retake fifth and Leclerc ahead was the fastest man on track after that second stop.
Verstappen was reeling in Lando Norris, running second, but also losing ground to Leclerc behind. They all met with 10 laps to go, Norris powerless to prevent both from dispatching him in quick succession.
Verstappen's mediums were going off and Leclerc was soon past, leaving Hamilton with the rest of the work to secure that double podium Ferrari targeted. He made light work of Norris but a late virtual safety car, caused by Valtteri Bottas pulling over with a problem, meant Hamilton ran out of laps to catch Verstappen.
Big moments. Packed grandstands. A championship battle that’s heating up.
When the Formula 1 season delivers like this, watching from home just isn’t the same as being there when the lights go out.
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