Antonelli takes US pole on weekend he can win title

Kimi Antonelli secures pole position for the United States Grand Prix on the weekend on which he can potentially clinch his first world title. Kimi Antonelli has to win the US Grand Prix to have a chance of securing the F1 title in Austin Kimi Antonelli took pole position for the United States Grand Prix on the weekend on which he can potentially clinch his first world title. The Mercedes driver beat Red Bull's Max Verstappen by 0.179 seconds, with the Dutchman's team-mate Isack Hadjar third ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli whooped with delight as he took his first pole position since the Belgian Grand Prix in July and said: "It feels good to be back." The 20-year-old Italian will become world champion on Sunday if he wins the race in Austin with Hamilton lower than fourth and Russell lower than eighth.

Hamilton is already below that position having qualified fifth, while Russell will start sixth ahead of the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris. Antonelli's pole came as something of a surprise after the Ferraris had topped all three practice sessions and Verstappen had looked strong through the second part of qualifying. "I wasn't expecting that," said Antonelli's engineer Peter Bonnington, emphasising that his charge's first lap in final qualifying was good enough for