Riccardo Patrese: “Antonelli with an advantage/disadvantage, Verstappen wins the US Grand Prix”

US Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas: The biggest question ahead of the 18th World Championship round of the 2026 season – will Kimi Antonelli become the youngest Formula 1 champion in 77 years of the sport’s history today?

When the starting lights go out at the Circuit of the Americas and Kimi Antonelli starts the race from pole position, Ricciardo Patrese will also be sitting in front of the television. The 72-year-old Italian spoke to the Casinostugan website about his compatriot, who is 52 years his junior.

Patrese, who has competed in 256 Grand Prix races (6 wins, runner-up in the 1992 World Championship behind Nigel Mansell), says: “Antonelli has the advantage – he doesn’t have to take any risks; the World Championship is more important right now than winning a race. But that will change.”

“Once Kimi has the title in the bag – whether that happens now in Texas or later in Mexico – he’ll go all out from then on, and we’ll see a great battle between him and Verstappen.”

“I have a feeling that Max Verstappen will win the US Grand Prix today, but it would be nice if Antonelli were to fight for the win.”

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“It’s like a countdown to Antonelli’s all but certain title win. I don’t think it’ll happen today in Austin, as I reckon Verstappen will manage three wins in a row.”

“Kimi always has the title in the back of his mind; for that reason, he won’t risk everything against Max. And if Verstappen keeps winning races, he’ll finish second in the World Championship behind Kimi. I find that astonishing, because Red Bull Racing were trailing in the first part of the season.”