Americas Triple-Header Looms: Red Bull Fast-Tracks Austin Floor for Verstappen
Antonelli holds 84-point margin over Russell. Milton Keynes delivers major aerodynamic upgrade to COTA.
Why this match matters
The final stretch of the 2026 Formula 1 championship begins next week with the gruelling Americas triple-header, commencing at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. With six Grands Prix remaining, Mercedes holds commanding leads in both standings, but rivals are emptying their developmental pipelines to mount a late-season counteroffensive.
What actually happened
Mercedes rookie sensation Kimi Antonelli currently presides over the Drivers’ standings with 320 points, holding a comfortable 84-point gap over teammate George Russell (236 points) following the latter’s mechanical retirement in Sepang. Lewis Hamilton ranks third with 214 points, Charles Leclerc has 191, and Lando Norris is tied with Max Verstappen on 188 points. Mercedes leads the Constructors’ title race with 556 points, 151 ahead of Ferrari (405).
To stop the Silver Arrows’ march, Red Bull Racing has fast-tracked an extensive floor and venturi tunnel upgrade package for Verstappen to COTA. The Milton Keynes squad seeks to eliminate high-speed understeer on Austin’s sweeping sector-one esses. Meanwhile, sister team Visa Cash App RB confirmed that Liam Lawson will start Sunday’s Grand Prix with a 10-place grid penalty due to an unapproved power unit swap.
What happens next
Freight cargo has begun arriving in Austin as teams prepare for the sprint weekend format. With only one hour of practice before sprint qualifying, Red Bull must dial in their floor upgrades instantly if Verstappen is to deny Mercedes another celebratory weekend in Texas.
Sources
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