Kimi Antonelli took pole for the United States Grand Prix on a weekend when he could clinch his first world title.
The Mercedes driver beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen by 0.179 seconds. Verstappen’s team-mate Isack Hadjar was third, ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, per BBC Sport.
Antonelli whooped with delight after taking his first pole since the Belgian Grand Prix in July. “It feels good to be back,” he said.
The 20-year-old Italian will be crowned world champion on Sunday if he wins the race, with Hamilton finishing lower than fourth and George Russell lower than eighth. Hamilton qualified fifth, so he starts outside the top four, while Russell starts sixth, ahead of the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
Antonelli’s pole came as something of a surprise. Ferrari had topped all three practice sessions, and Verstappen had looked strong through the second part of qualifying, going fourth quickest in Q2 despite being on used tyres. But in the final session his car lacked the grip he needed.
Antonelli said: “We got pole so we will try to win tomorrow but Max has been very quick and Isack did an incredible job so it is not going to be easy.
“We try to get a good start and hopefully lead into Turn One and try to set the pace, even if it is going to be very tight.”
Verstappen said: “Q3 was not good, Q1, Q2 were nice but for whatever reason in run one and two just didn’t have a nice balance. No mistakes, just not enough grip. But if it’s still a P2, I take it.”
