AUSTIN, Texas
As the noise from the qualifying sessions faded away at the Circuit of the Americas, Kimi Antonelli made his way from the media center to the upstairs paddock club, flanked by Mercedes team members and eager fans.
With each step, he drew closer to making history.
However, nothing compared to the monumental lap he clocked in Q3 to secure pole position for Sunday’s United States Grand Prix. A victory could see Antonelli clinch his first F1 Drivers’ Championship — though he will need a bit of assistance. With the end of the season approaching and his championship chances seeming quite likely, the evening sun on Saturday made it clear that the title was within reach.
But shortly after exiting his car and celebrating his pole position, Antonelli lightheartedly poked fun at himself.
“It was surprising, but one of my biggest achievements today is that I didn’t violate track limits,” Antonelli shared following the session, referencing the penalties suffered during the two practice sessions on Friday.
“So, that made things easier for us. I didn’t put myself in a tough spot and we could just build up throughout the session. It was unexpected, for sure; we knew we’d be close, but it was a pleasant surprise.”
He can secure the championship title with a win on Sunday, assuming teammate George Russell finishes ninth or lower, and Lewis Hamilton finishes fifth or lower. Since Hamilton is starting in fifth and Russell is right beside him in sixth, the chaos at Turn 1 could offer Antonelli just the buffer he needs.
Assuming he navigates through Turn 1 himself.
On Saturday evening, Antonelli remained focused on having a good day in the Grand Prix the next day.
“I’m just going to do my best in the race,” he said. “I’ll aim to win, and then we’ll see what happens. It’s nice to end the day like this.”
“But tomorrow is a fresh start. Max [Verstappen] has been incredibly fast, and Isack [Hadjar] has also shown impressive speed. I need a strong start, and then we’ll assess where to go from there.”
Although Antonelli acknowledged that there’s a “different” feeling knowing he might clinch the title on Sunday, his mindset remains unchanged.
“It does feel a bit different,” Antonelli admitted in response to a question about whether his approach would change. “But my goal stays consistent. I just need to keep doing what I do best. I feel I can enjoy driving a bit more now. The race is still ahead, and I must try to win, then see what unfolds, but yes, I feel I can enjoy it a little more.”
“I’m in a great position, but the mentality remains the same.”
Antonelli’s dedication and sharpened mindset have brought him to this advantageous spot. He mentioned on Thursday that he has learned to bounce back from the rare mistakes this season, like the significant crash he had during FP3 at the Australian Grand Prix. He managed to recover, qualify well, and secure second place in the race, starting the season off strong.
It’s been a major step in a season filled with challenges.
Now, after yet another big leap in Austin on Saturday, he stands on the brink of something even grander on Sunday.
A title, and a chance to make F1 history as the youngest champion ever.
