Source: Official Team Post via X
Kimi Antonelli Prepares for United States GP from Pole Position
Kimi Antonelli reflects on his pole position at the United States Grand Prix, aware of the challenges ahead. A win could secure his first Drivers' Championship, but he'll need some help from his rivals' results.
With the possibility of clinching the Drivers' Championship tantalizingly close, Kimi Antonelli has shared his thoughts on turning his pole position into a victory at the United States Grand Prix. The Italian driver, representing Mercedes, acknowledges the challenges ahead but remains optimistic about the team's potential to perform their best.
After a modest start to the Qualifying session, Antonelli surged to the top, clocking an impressive 1m 34.035s. This time was sufficient to fend off Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, marking Antonelli's seventh pole position of the 2026 season and his first since July's Belgian Grand Prix. His decision to abandon a second flying lap didn't come back to haunt him, as no other driver managed to surpass his benchmark.
Reflecting on the session, Antonelli expressed satisfaction: "I'm very happy. It was a good Qualifying. Having a clean run helped to build momentum. We didn't make mistakes, and I'm very happy with that." He noted, "The car felt good, especially in Q3. The wind made it tricky, altering the balance from corner to corner, but the last lap was promising. I pushed a bit too hard and lost it, which was a shame, but overall, I'm pleased with the result and looking forward to tomorrow."
Despite the excitement, Antonelli's path to the championship isn't straightforward. For him to secure the title, he needs to win the race while hoping that George Russell finishes ninth or lower and Lewis Hamilton ends up outside the top four. With Russell starting sixth, just behind Hamilton, Antonelli's title dreams hinge on a bit of luck in addition to his driving prowess.
Antonelli is fully aware of the competition he faces, particularly from the Red Bull camp: "We'll try to win," he stated. "Hopefully we'll get off the line well and set the pace for the race, but it's not going to be easy. Red Bull and Max have been very strong, and Isack has been up there in Qualifying. It's not going to be easy out there, but we're ready to do our best."
As the race approaches, Antonelli's focus remains on executing a flawless drive, knowing that his championship hopes could rest on the fortunes of others as much as his own performance.