Toto Wolff calls Sunday F1 title clinch 'not realistic' for Kimi Antonelli

The Mercedes driver starts on pole in Austin.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

Photo via @SkySportsF1 on X

What happened: Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stated that Kimi Antonelli securing the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers' Championship on Sunday at the United States Grand Prix is "not realistic." The assessment comes after the Italian driver captured pole position at Circuit of the Americas with a 1:35.015 qualifying lap.

Why it matters: Antonelli enters the Austin race with a mathematical path to seal the 2026 title if he outscores teammate George Russell. Wolff previously noted that Russell struggled with Antonelli's pace early in the 2026 campaign, though the Mercedes chief is tempering expectations for an immediate Sunday coronation.

By the numbers: Antonelli leads the United States Grand Prix starting grid at P1 (1:35.015), followed by Max Verstappen in P2, Isack Hadjar in P3, Charles Leclerc in P4, and Lewis Hamilton in P5. Lando Norris starts eighth after a track-limits violation.

What to watch: Antonelli will defend pole position alongside front-row starter Verstappen when the United States Grand Prix gets underway Sunday at Circuit of the Americas.

Sources

@SkySportsF1 2026-10-25T01:12:24.032899+00:00

CONVERSATION

Loading comments…

F1PreviewMercedes

Follow F1 Intelligence

Real-time signals and analysis

@WireReportF1

WR Pro

The day's sports, briefed to your inbox at 7am ET. Every claim sourced.

$9/month Free weekly newsletter →