F1's title fight heads to Austin, where Kimi Antonelli could clinch the championship

Formula 1's championship could be decided in Texas this weekend.

Kimi Antonelli goes into Sunday's United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin with a 102-point lead over his Mercedes teammate George Russell. The race starts at 3 p.m. Central.

The 20-year-old Italian has a chance to become the youngest champion in F1 history.

What he needs

If the season runs as scheduled, 150 points are still up for grabs. In that case, Antonelli would clinch the title in Austin by winning the race while Russell finishes ninth or lower and Lewis Hamilton finishes fifth or lower.

That would leave him 125 points clear with 125 points left. He would hold the tiebreaker on race wins even if Russell won every remaining race.

The Middle East question

The math could get easier. The last two races are set for Qatar on Nov. 29 and Abu Dhabi on Dec. 6, but escalations in the war between the United States and Iran could force both to be canceled.

F1 has a backup plan to hold a single race at Imola in Italy instead. That would shorten the season by one round and leave just 125 points available after Austin.

In that case, Antonelli would only need to leave Texas with a 100-point lead. A win on Sunday would make him champion no matter where anyone else finishes. Even a second-place finish would do it if Russell does not win.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has said he is determined that the season will still finish in the Middle East.

Who else is in the hunt

Russell, Hamilton, Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris are all still mathematically alive. Leclerc and Norris would be eliminated if the Middle East races are canceled.

Verstappen won the last race in Singapore and has won the U.S. Grand Prix four times. Hamilton holds the record at the track with six wins in Austin.

Qualifying is Saturday at 4 p.m. Central.