Antonelli stands on brink of history in Austin

Kimi Antonelli took pole position at the United States Grand Prix and could become Formula 1’s youngest world champion if he wins on Sunday, provided team-mate George Russell finishes below eighth and Lewis Hamilton below fourth. The 20-year-old said he was enjoying the unusual pressure, as he chases a landmark title for Italy.

Antonelli was 0.179 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen in qualifying, with Russell and Hamilton starting fifth and sixth. He leads Russell by 102 points and Hamilton by 111, so the title could follow at a later race even if he does not clinch it in Austin. With eight wins from 17 races, he would beat Sebastian Vettel’s age record by more than three years; Italy has not had a champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.