Kimi Antonelli seizes F1 US GP pole and chance to seal first world title

• Antonelli has 102-point lead over George Russell

• Needs to be 125 points in front after Sunday’s race

Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the US Grand Prix with a hugely impressive lap for Mercedes at the Circuit of the Americas. In beating Red Bull’s Max Verstappen into second place, Antonelli did exactly what was required to give him the chance to close out his first world championship title this weekend.

Isack Hadjar did well to secure third for Red Bull, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in fourth and fifth for Ferrari, and Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell in sixth.