Mercedes Driver Kimi Antonelli Earns Surprise Pole for the US Grand Prix as He Chases the F1 Title – WTOP News
- On Sunday, October 25, 2026, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli can clinch his maiden Formula 1 Drivers' Championship at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, marking his first opportunity to secure the title.
- The 20-year-old Italian has dominated the 2026 season with nine victories across 17 rounds, defying pre-season expectations that initially favored Mercedes teammate George Russell.
- To clinch the title in Austin, Antonelli must win the race while teammate Russell finishes ninth or lower and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finishes fifth or lower.
- Victory would make Antonelli the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's 2010 record at age 23, and Italy's first titleholder since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
- Should these results not occur in Austin, the championship battle continues to the Mexico City Grand Prix on November 1, pending potential calendar adjustments due to Middle East conflict.
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The first opportunity is already today, at the United States Grand Prix, but they have to align some elements
It was a clear announcement to the competition: Kimi Antonelli has chosen the qualifying at the USA Grand Prix in Austin. Already in the evening he can choose himself as the new world champion.
Austin. Italian Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) will start today from pole position in the U.S. Grand Prix, and is close to becoming the youngest Formula 1 champion, while Mexican Sergio Checo Pérez (Cadillac) will leave from site 19.
Seventh place for the Italian who wants to certify his first title on the Austin Circuit of the Americas
The Italian Mercedes team signed the best time for the qualifying session of the US Grand Prix on Saturday, ahead of the two Red Bulls by Max Verstappen and Frenchman Isack Hadjar.
Kimi Antonelli reveals race plan after surprise US Grand Prix pole puts first world title within reach
Kimi Antonelli has revealed his plan to turn a surprise United States Grand Prix pole into victory as the Mercedes star stands on the brink of clinching his first Formula One world title on Sunday.The 20-year-old can secure the championship in Austin if he wins, Lewis Hamilton finishes lower than fourth and George Russell ends up below eighth. He beat Max Verstappen to pole by 0.179 seconds, with Red Bull's Isack Hadjar qualifying third.Hamilton…
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