Mercedes-AMG F1 marks pre-race calm ahead of United States Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli starts on pole at Circuit of the Americas.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 55m1 min read

The calm before the storm 😌 https://t.co/B2zusYrQYT Via @MercedesAMGF1 on X

What happened: Mercedes-AMG F1 set a composed pre-race tone in Austin ahead of Sunday's MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix. Qualifying placed Max Verstappen alongside the pole-sitter on the front row in second.

Why it matters: Championship stakes hang over the Texas round, as Antonelli can clinch the FIA Formula One World Championship on Sunday if he outscores his teammate. Starting order into Turn 1 carries immediate title implications for the field chasing from the second and third rows.

By the numbers: Starting grid top five: P1 Kimi Antonelli (Italy), P2 Max Verstappen (Netherlands), P3 Isack Hadjar (France), P4 Charles Leclerc (Monaco), P5 Lewis Hamilton (Britain).

What to watch: Lights out for the United States Grand Prix follows on Sunday in Austin with the Drivers' Championship mathematically on the line.

Sources

@MercedesAMGF1 2026-10-25T19:40:46.036903+00:00

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