United States Grand Prix · Debrief
Kimi Antonelli claims Austin pole with F1 title within reach
Kimi Antonelli takes pole for the United States Grand Prix and could clinch the title on Sunday if key rivals finish outside specified positions.
Kimi Antonelli moved closer to the Formula 1 drivers’ title by taking pole position for the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas. He will start ahead of Max Verstappen after Ferrari’s practice pace faded in qualifying, leaving Antonelli with a major opportunity to seal the championship on Sunday.
Antonelli holds a 102-point lead over Mercedes team-mate George Russell. A win, combined with Russell finishing ninth or lower and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton ending fourth or lower, would make the Italian the sport’s youngest world champion.
The title picture has already prompted support for Antonelli’s prospects: Kimi Raikkonen has backed him to become the youngest F1 world champion.
Antonelli converts early Q3 advantage into pole
Ferrari had looked strong through practice, with Charles Leclerc quickest in both Friday sessions and Hamilton leading final practice. But the team could not carry that form into the decisive phase of qualifying.
Antonelli’s first run in Q3 proved enough. His 1:34.035 lap put him just under two-tenths clear of Verstappen, while Isack Hadjar was only 0.036 seconds behind his Red Bull team-mate. None of the three improved on their second runs, securing Antonelli his first pole since Belgium.
Leclerc qualified fourth, one place ahead of Hamilton. Russell will start sixth, with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris behind him. Follow the weekend with our United States Grand Prix live timing.
Grid penalties reshape the midfield order
Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad qualified ninth but will drop five places after a power unit component change, moving him to 14th. The team withdrew Liam Lawson from Q3, and he will start ninth as a result of Lindblad’s penalty.
Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto qualified 13th but faces an 80-place penalty after a double power unit change and will start last. Alpine’s Franco Colapinto also has a penalty, dropping 10 places for a power unit component change.
Fernando Alonso reached Q2 for only the second time this season and will line up 13th after those penalties are applied. Haas driver Oliver Bearman will start alongside him after his fastest lap was deleted for exceeding track limits.
Williams’ Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon qualified 19th and 20th. Cadillac’s Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas were the slowest pair, separated by 0.090 seconds. Esteban Ocon and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll also exited in Q1.