Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the US Grand Prix with a hugely impressive lap for Mercedes at the Circuit of the Americas. In beating Red Bull’s Max Verstappen into second place, Antonelli did exactly what was required to give him the chance to close out his first world championship title this weekend.

Isack Hadjar did well to secure third for Red Bull, with Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in fourth and fifth for Ferrari, and Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell in sixth.

Antonelli’s first pole since the Belgian GP in July could not have been better timed as he attempts to take his first title. The Italian has a 102-point lead over Russell and needs to be 125 points in front after this race. To take the title he must win on Sunday and have Russell finish outside the top eight, with Hamilton outside the top four.…