Kimi Antonelli takes pole in Austin; can clinch title tonight
Antonelli set a 1:34,035 lap to top qualifying in Austin and needs a win plus specific rivals' finishes to seal the championship.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the United States Grand Prix in Austin and arrives at the race with a first opportunity to secure the 2026 world title tonight.
Qualifying margins and starting order
Antonelli set the benchmark with a lap of 1:34,035, finishing 179 thousandths of a second ahead of Max Verstappen. The next best was Red Bull team-mate Isak Hajar, who ended 36 thousandths of a second behind Verstappen.
Antonelli’s main championship rival and his team-mate, George Russell, managed only the sixth-fastest time in qualifying. Antonelli can clinch the championship in Texas this evening, but the scenario is specific: he must win the race, Russell must finish ninth or lower, and Lewis Hamilton must not be among the top four finishers.
Throughout free practice Antonelli had not matched the pace of Verstappen and both Ferraris, but when it mattered in qualifying he rose to the front. The four-time world champion pushed hard but had to settle for second after taking pole in the two previous rounds.
Behind the leading trio, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton occupied the Ferrari slots in the timesheets, while Russell and Oscar Piastri lined up for McLaren. Defending champion Lando Norris qualified eighth.
The United States Grand Prix will start tonight at 21:00 local time on 25 October 2026.
Photo: press material from the event
