Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli will start the United States Grand Prix from pole position in Austin as he closes in on the World Championship title. A race victory for the young Italian could secure him the championship crown on race day.
Joining Antonelli on the front row is Red Bull driver Max Verstappen, who qualified alongside him in second place. Verstappen’s teammate, Isack Hadjar, secured the third spot on the grid, placing him directly behind the front-row starters.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc begins the race from fourth position. He sits just ahead of the two drivers still mathematically capable of preventing Antonelli from wrapping up the championship in Austin: Lewis Leclerc’s Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton and Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell.
The fourth row of the grid features an all-McLaren lineup. Oscar Piastri leads the team’s charge from reigning World Champion Lando Norris.
Rounding out the top 10 positions are Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson and Alpine driver Pierre Gasly. Lawson’s teammate, Arvid Lindblad, had originally qualified ninth but was forced to drop down the grid to 14th place following a power unit penalty.
Several other drivers faced grid penalties after taking on new power unit components ahead of the race. Alpine driver Franco Colapinto will start from 20th position, while Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto starts 21st.
Additionally, Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll is set to begin the race from the pit lane. The team made power unit and set-up changes to his car following the conclusion of qualifying.
The 2026 United States Grand Prix is scheduled to get underway at 15:00 local time in Austin.
