Antonelli takes Austin pole and moves closer to the world title
Archive photo collage / Pitlane24. Photos from the Pitlane24 media library.Archive photo collage / Pitlane24. Photos from the Pitlane24 media library.
Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the United States Grand Prix with a decisive lap in the final part of qualifying. The Mercedes driver set a 1:34.035 to beat Max Verstappen by 0.179 seconds. Isack Hadjar completed the top three, just 0.036 seconds behind his Red Bull team-mate.
The first attempt proved decisive
Antonelli produced his best time on his opening Q3 run. Changing winds complicated the final attempts of the leading drivers, and nobody could dislodge him. It was the Italian’s first pole position since the Belgian Grand Prix in July.
The result exceeded even Mercedes’ expectations. Toto Wolff admitted that third or fourth had looked more likely before the session. Antonelli nevertheless extracted the necessary performance at the crucial moment.
Ferrari finishes behind both Red Bulls
Having topped every practice session, Ferrari could not repeat that form in qualifying. Charles Leclerc finished fourth ahead of Lewis Hamilton. George Russell was sixth after two unsuccessful Q3 attempts and acknowledged that he had not made the most of his Mercedes.
Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris took seventh and eighth. Arvid Lindblad qualified ninth ahead of Liam Lawson, but a five-place penalty will move him back on the starting grid.
Qualifying top 10
- Kimi Antonelli — Mercedes
- Max Verstappen — Red Bull
- Isack Hadjar — Red Bull
- Charles Leclerc — Ferrari
- Lewis Hamilton — Ferrari
- George Russell — Mercedes
- Oscar Piastri — McLaren
- Lando Norris — McLaren
- Arvid Lindblad — Racing Bulls
- Liam Lawson — Racing Bulls
Qualifying order before grid penalties are applied.
A first championship opportunity
Antonelli heads into the race with a 102-point advantage over Russell. To secure the title in Austin, he must win, with his team-mate ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower. Otherwise, his next opportunity will come in Mexico.
Pole provides the best starting position, but both Red Bulls are immediately behind him. Verstappen arrives after consecutive victories in Malaysia and Singapore and remains a serious threat to the championship leader’s hopes of winning.
Sources: Reuters, Formula1.com.
