He is 20 years old. He is on pole. And tonight in Texas, Kimi Antonelli could become the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history.
The United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas: start time, the grid, and exactly what Antonelli needs to win the title in Austin.
By A Rashwan · Cairo Times 24 · October 25, 2026 · 5 min read
Formula 1 may crown a champion tonight, and he is barely out of his teens. Andrea Kimi Antonelli put his Mercedes on pole for the United States Grand Prix with a lap of 1:34.035, beating Max Verstappen by less than two tenths of a second. It is his seventh pole of the season.
He arrives in Austin with 340 points, a huge 102 more than his own teammate George Russell. If the right results fall into place on Sunday, the Italian will become the youngest world champion in F1 history, beating the record Sebastian Vettel set back in 2010.
What time is the US Grand Prix?
Sunday, October 25, 2026 · Circuit of The Americas, Austin, Texas · 56 laps.
Fun fact for sports fans in the Middle East: the race starts at exactly the same moment as El Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid. Get your second screen ready.
Exactly what Antonelli needs tonight
Antonelli is champion in Austin if all three of these happen:
- Antonelli wins the race
- George Russell finishes 9th or lower
- Lewis Hamilton finishes 5th or lower
If not, the fight moves on to Mexico. There are five races left after Austin.
In simple words: Antonelli has to win, and both of his closest chasers need a bad day. That is not easy, because Hamilton starts fifth and Russell sixth. But with this kind of lead, Antonelli does not need tonight. He only needs time.
The championship standings
In the constructors' race, Mercedes lead with 578 points, ahead of Ferrari (444) and McLaren (339).
The starting grid: top 10
This is the qualifying order. Grid penalties (Lindblad -5, Colapinto -10, Bortoleto -20) will shuffle the final starting order slightly.
5 storylines to watch
1. Ferrari's strange weekend
Ferrari were fastest in all three practice sessions. Charles Leclerc topped the first two, and Lewis Hamilton the third. Then, when it mattered, they qualified only fourth and fifth. Ferrari still have not taken a single pole in 17 races this season.
2. Verstappen on the front row, with a worry
Max Verstappen will start right beside Antonelli. But during practice he complained on the radio about his Red Bull's gear shifts, and the team had not explained the cause before qualifying. A fast start into Turn 1 could change everything.
3. Norris loses a lap
Reigning world champion Lando Norris had his best lap deleted for going beyond track limits. That dropped him to eighth, behind his teammate Oscar Piastri.
4. Hamilton backs the kid
Hamilton has said he supports Antonelli's title bid, which is a nice twist: he is also one of the drivers who could stop Antonelli from winning it tonight.
5. Penalties at the back
Franco Colapinto (Alpine) loses 10 places for a new electronics part, Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) takes a big penalty for engine parts, and Carlos Sainz had his worst qualifying in Austin since his rookie year, down in 19th.
Our prediction
Antonelli has been the class of the field all year, with eight wins already, and pole at a track where overtaking is possible but tricky. We expect him to fight Verstappen for the win. The title itself is more likely to wait for Mexico, because Russell and Hamilton would both need a bad race. But if the stars align, history is made tonight.
We will update this story after the chequered flag. Stay with Cairo Times 24.
US Grand Prix FAQ
What time does the 2026 US Grand Prix start?
Sunday, October 25, 2026, at 15:00 in Austin (16:00 New York, 20:00 UK, 23:00 Cairo and Riyadh, 00:00 Dubai).
Who is on pole in Austin?
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) with 1:34.035, ahead of Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar.
Can Antonelli win the title in Austin?
Yes, if he wins the race while George Russell finishes 9th or lower and Lewis Hamilton 5th or lower.
How old is Kimi Antonelli?
He is 20. Winning the 2026 title would make him the youngest F1 world champion ever, beating Sebastian Vettel's 2010 record.
How many races are left after Austin?
Five, starting with the Mexico City Grand Prix.
