Ecstasy is merely postponed for Kimi Antonelli. On the challenging Texan track in Austin, the 20-year-old Mercedes driver dominated the Grand Prix, leaving Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in his rearview mirror, but failed to mathematically seal the world championship. For the "Peter Pan" of Bologna, claiming his ninth victory in this untouchable season, the first match-point slipped away due to the placements of his rivals: to be crowned champion with four races to spare, he needed Lewis Hamilton to finish outside the top five and his teammate George Russell to stay out of the top nine. Instead, the two Britons finished fourth and eighth respectively, forcing Antonelli to put the celebrations on ice. Despite the delayed party, the American weekend confirmed the icy supremacy of the young Italian phenomenon. After securing his seventh pole position of 2026 on Saturday, Kimi drove a prodigious race, demonstrating extraordinary cold blood and maximizing the potential of an unstoppable Mercedes W17. The wait for that Holy Grail - which has eluded Italy since 1953, the heroic days of Alberto Ascari - is destined to last only a few more days. The formidable Bolognese talent boasts a reassuring 123-point lead over Russell in the overall standings, a gap that shields him from any unwelcome surprises. The next opportunity to make history will arrive on November 1 in Mexico City: a ninth-place finish will be enough for Antonelli, even if his teammate wins, to shatter the record for the youngest champion previously held by Sebastian Vettel. The Formula 1 crown is waiting for him with open arms.