Kimi Antonelli takes US Grand Prix pole as Formula 1 title chance approaches
The championship leader starts ahead of Max Verstappen in Austin, while the finishing positions of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will determine whether he can clinch the title.
Kimi Antonelli took pole position for the United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 24, putting the Formula 1 championship leader at the front of the grid for a race in which he could clinch the title. Max Verstappen qualified second, while Antonelli’s Mercedes team-mate and title rival George Russell qualified sixth.
Antonelli set a time of 1 minute 34.035 seconds on his first run in the final qualifying session, Motorsport.com reported. BBC Sport put his margin over Verstappen at 0.179 seconds. Isack Hadjar qualified third, ahead of Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in fourth and fifth. Russell starts ahead of McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
What Antonelli needs to win the F1 title in Austin
BBC Sport reported that Antonelli can become world champion in the October 25 race if he wins, Hamilton finishes lower than fourth and Russell finishes lower than eighth. Hamilton qualified fifth, already below the required fourth-place threshold; Russell qualified sixth and would need to finish lower than eighth. The Grand Prix is scheduled for 20:00 GMT.
The pole gives Antonelli a stronger starting position than he had when his title prospects were assessed before qualifying. NewsJaws previously explained how he could clinch the championship at the United States Grand Prix; the new development is his place at the front of the grid, with Russell sixth and Hamilton fifth.
How the Austin qualifying order changed
Ferrari had topped all three practice sessions, according to BBC Sport, and Leclerc led the second part of qualifying, Motorsport.com reported. Antonelli then set the fastest time in the final session. BBC Sport said it was his first pole since the Belgian Grand Prix in July; Verstappen had taken the previous two poles.
Antonelli said Mercedes would try to win the race, according to BBC Sport. He pointed to the pace of Verstappen and Hadjar and said the race would not be easy. Motorsport.com reported that few of the leading drivers improved on their final qualifying laps, leaving Antonelli’s opening run at the top.
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Sources and context
- F1 United States GP: Kimi Antonelli takes pole with George Russell sixthMotorsport.com (republished by Yahoo Sports)
- US Grand Prix: Kimi Antonelli takes Austin pole on weekend he can win F1 titleBBC Sport
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.