Kimi Antonelli leaves Singapore with a podium and a 102-point championship lead, and could seal the title at the United States Grand Prix on October 25 after Max Verstappen won.

Jenson Button told Antonelli he can clinch the crown in Austin. The Mercedes rookie was surprised but kept focus on execution, reflecting his recent mindset shift.

“Can I? Really? Let’s not worry about that now. Let’s try to do the best weekend possible and finish the job,” Antonelli said after a demanding Marina Bay race.

His third place came from alert racecraft. On lap 54, Lando Norris attacked Lewis Hamilton at Turn 1, both ran wide, and Antonelli swept past to secure the final podium.

“I’m really happy with the podium,” he said. “I managed to take advantage of the fight between Lando and Lewis and make the move on both.”

George Russell rescued ninth from 19th after a heavy power‑unit penalty, limiting Mercedes’ damage on a circuit that punishes mistakes and rewards track position.

The title picture is straightforward. With 150 points remaining, a strong Austin result could end Russell’s mathematical hopes before the flyaways conclude.

Verstappen ended his long winless run with a controlled Singapore victory, underscoring Red Bull’s execution on a high‑degradation, street‑circuit challenge.

Mercedes has leaned on recent upgrades to bolster Antonelli’s bid, with reliability and qualifying form pivotal at Austin’s mixed‑speed profile.

Button has also discussed calendar pressures, mirroring concerns about season intensity and travel. Antonelli’s composure reflects the lessons he has drawn across a demanding campaign.

As Austin approaches, Antonelli’s task is clear: qualify strongly, manage tyres, and minimize risk. His rivals need a significant swing to prolong the championship fight.

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Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.