Antonelli takes pole for United States GP as Verstappen lines up second and four drivers hit with penalties

Pole position in Austin puts Antonelli on brink of title

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli will start the 2026 United States Grand Prix from pole position in Austin on a day when a race win could see him crowned World Champion.

Joining him on the front row is Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The Dutchman has team-mate Isack Hadjar alongside in third on the grid.

Top 10 starting order

Charles Leclerc starts fourth for Ferrari, ahead of the two men who can stop Antonelli wrapping up the title in Austin – Lewis Hamilton in the sister Ferrari and the young Italian’s own Mercedes team-mate George Russell in sixth.

It’s an all-McLaren fourth row, with Oscar Piastri heading reigning World Champion Lando Norris. Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly complete the top 10.

Penalties shuffle the grid

Lawson’s team-mate Arvid Lindblad had qualified ninth, but drops to P14 thanks to a power unit penalty.

Also receiving grid drops after taking on new power unit components are Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto, the Argentine and Brazilian drivers starting 20th and 21st respectively.

Finally, Lance Stroll will begin his race from the pit lane following power unit and set-up changes on his Aston Martin after Qualifying.

The 2026 United States Grand Prix starts at 1500 local time.