Kimi Antonelli can become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history on Sunday. He starts the race from pole position.
South African fans can watch the race from about 10pm on Sunday night. Here is what happened in qualifying and what Antonelli needs to win the title in Texas.
A Pole Nobody Saw Coming
Few people expected andrea kimi antonelli to start on pole at the Circuit of the Americas. Ferrari and Red Bull looked quicker than Mercedes in practice. Verstappen and the Ferraris seemed the likely names for the front row.
Then came the final part of f1 qualifying. Antonelli put in a lap of 1:34.035 on his first run. That time was enough to beat everyone, and he did not improve on his second attempt. Nobody else could get under it either.
This is his seventh pole of the 2026 season. It is also his first since the summer break. His father, Marco, was there to hug him after the session.
Easy to Follow: The f1 qualifying results
The gap at the front was small. Here is the top six from Saturday’s session.
| Position | Driver | Team | Gap to pole |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | 1:34.035 |
| 2 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.179s |
| 3 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | +0.215s |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.232s |
| 5 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.276s |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.441s |
These f1 qualifying results show how tight the field was. Only about four tenths of a second separated the top six cars.
Some grid penalties were also reported for the race. Check the official starting order before lights out.
Why the Ferrari Challenge Faded
Ferrari looked strong all weekend, but their qualifying fell apart. Leclerc ended up fourth, and Hamilton was fifth.
That helped Antonelli a lot. Fewer fast cars were ahead of his rivals, which kept the title race in his hands.
What Antonelli Needs to Win the Title
The title rules are simple to understand. Antonelli leads the standings by a huge margin. Reports put him 102 points clear of teammate George Russell and 111 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
Even so, he cannot take the crown just by turning up. To seal it in Austin, he needs all of these to happen:
- Antonelli must win the race.
- Russell must finish ninth or lower.
- Hamilton must finish outside the top four.
That is a tall order, and Antonelli knows it. Before the weekend he said he would need a “perfect weekend” to make it happen. Mercedes starting from the front row of the grid is a good first step.
If he misses out this weekend, the pressure will not last long. Five races remain after Austin: Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. A maximum of 125 points is still up for grabs. Antonelli is a heavy favourite to be champion either way.
A Record Almost 16 Years Old
Antonelli is 20 years old. He was born on 25 August 2006. The current record belongs to Sebastian Vettel, who won his first title in 2010. Antonelli was only four years old at that time.
If he wins the championship, he will also be the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. That is a huge moment for motorsport fans in Italy, and for fans of young drivers everywhere.
It would also cap a big year. Antonelli has won eight Grands Prix in 2026. His first win came in China, and his home race in Italy also went his way. He also became the youngest polesitter in F1 history, and the youngest championship leader.
It is a big change from his rookie year in 2025. That season was far more difficult. At last year’s race in Austin, he qualified seventh. Now he starts first.
Max Verstappen Has a Word for His Young Friend
max verstappen starts right beside him on the front row. That makes the first corner a key moment. Antonelli must get a clean start and hold off the Red Bull on the climb to Turn 1. Hadjar is close behind in the second Red Bull. That gives the team two cars to attack with.
Verstappen has also been in this position before. He was asked whether he had any advice for his friend before the race. His answer was calm. He pointed out that with such a big lead, Antonelli will be champion sooner or later.
That is a fair view. It is also a useful reminder for fans. This weekend is a bonus chance, not a must win moment for the season.
Enjoying the Moment
Pressure does not seem to be a problem for Antonelli. He says he is enjoying himself more than usual. His pole lap on Saturday certainly looked that way. He is relaxed, quick and fully focused.
That calm approach could matter on Sunday. A 56 lap race at Austin is long. It has heat, wind and strong rivals. There are also tyre choices and safety car calls. Mercedes will need a clean pit stop plan to keep Antonelli in front.
What to Watch For on Sunday
Here are some simple things to keep an eye on during the race:
- The start. A good launch from pole is key. Losing the lead at Turn 1 would make life harder.
- Red Bull strategy. With two cars close by, they can try different tyre plans.
- Russell’s pace. His finishing position matters just as much as Antonelli’s win.
- Hamilton and Leclerc. Both Ferraris could recover from a poor qualifying.
- Tyre wear. Hot weather and a bumpy track can change the order late on.
How to Follow the Race in South Africa
The United States Grand Prix starts at 3pm local time in Austin. That is about 10pm in South Africa. Check your local broadcaster or streaming service for coverage. For official news, schedules and session results, you can visit the official Formula 1 website. You can also read the sport’s rules and championship information on the FIA website.
The Bottom Line
Antonelli has the best seat in the house for a historic day. He has pole, he has speed and he has a massive points lead. But the maths is not easy. He needs a win and help from other results.
If it does not happen in Austin, it should happen soon. Either way, this young Italian has turned a tough rookie year into one of the best seasons F1 has seen in years. Sunday night could be a very special one.
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