Antonelli Takes Surprise Pole at US Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli took a surprise pole position for the United States Grand Prix, beating Red Bull's Max Verstappen by 0.179 seconds in qualifying at the Circuit of the Americas. The Mercedes driver can become Formula 1's youngest world champion in Austin on Sunday, and he says he is enjoying himself more than usual.

Antonelli had not been on pole since the Belgian Grand Prix in July, after Mercedes' early-season dominance was challenged first by McLaren and then by Red Bull. He whooped over the team radio on his slowing-down lap.

What he needs

He wins the title on Sunday if he wins the race while team-mate George Russell finishes lower than eighth and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton lower than fourth. Hamilton starts fifth and Russell sixth. Antonelli leads Russell by 102 points and Hamilton by 111, and he has won eight of the 17 races so far, including five in a row after Russell won the opener in Australia.

He would be 20 years and 61 days old on Sunday. The current record holder, Sebastian Vettel, was 23 years and 133 days old when he won his first title in 2010.

"It does feel a little bit different," Antonelli said. "But the goal stays the same. I just need to keep doing my job. And, actually, I feel like I can enjoy more driving, everything." He said he has brought friends along in addition to his father, Marco, and that they play cards in the evenings. "That's what helps, to just relax a little bit," he said.

Antonelli has said that the title would need "something catastrophic to happen to the others" on Sunday. Verstappen, a four-time champion, said his young friend "doesn't need" advice. "If it doesn't happen here, it will happen next weekend," Verstappen said, naming Mexico City, and then São Paulo the weekend after.

Rivals fall short

Ferrari had looked likely to take pole. Charles Leclerc complained of tyres losing grip as the sun and temperature dropped, and Hamilton said: "The car felt really good. The lap was solid, so they were just quicker." Verstappen had set a competitive time on used tyres in the second session but found his grip gone in the last one. He said Red Bull had been happier on long runs on Friday and hoped for the same in the race.

Leclerc said he believed he could fight for the win with a good start. Hamilton was more cautious. "It's very hard to overtake here," he said. The race starts at 20:00 GMT on Sunday.

Source: BBC News