Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes it is “not realistic” that Kimi Antonelli will win the 2026 F1 Drivers’ Championship at Sunday’s United States Grand Prix, despite the Italian starting on pole position.
Antonelli was not expected to win first place in qualifying but produced a superb lap in Q3 to beat Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and take his first pole position since the Belgian Grand Prix in July.
If Antonelli wins Sunday’s race in Austin with Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth or lower and George Russell ninth or lower, he will seal the title with five rounds remaining.
Hamilton will start fifth and Russell sixth when the lights go out at the Circuit of the Americas in 8pm (build-up from 6.30pm), live on Sky Sports F1 and Main Event.
However, Wolff has warned Mercedes will not have the pace to win as they lacked the pace in Friday’s long practice sessions.
“We’re not talking about that (championship). It’s not realistic,” he said Sky Sports F1.
“I don’t think we’re the fastest in the race, so it’s about getting the points and eventually, hopefully, winning.”
Antonelli is also wary of Red Bull’s race pace and the possibility that Verstappen in second and Isack Hadjar in third could work together.
He admits this week has been “a bit different”, knowing it’s his first chance to become the sport’s youngest world champion at the age of 20.
“The goal remains the same. I just have to keep doing my job and actually, I feel like I can enjoy driving and everything more,” said Antonelli.
“But of course, we still have to race, we still have to try and win, and then, of course, we’ll see what happens. But I feel I can enjoy it a little bit more because I’m obviously in a very good position. But still, the mindset is always the same.”
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Highlights from qualifying for the 2026 United States Grand Prix.
Verstappen plans to keep it respectful of Antonelli
The uphill run into the wide Turn 1 at the start provides a good opportunity for the second driver to steam the inside of the prop, something Verstappen may look to do if he has a strong breakaway.
Verstappen, who has won the last two races, has nothing to lose but suggested he will not be overly aggressive towards championship leader Antonelli.
“Kimi wants to go for the win? It helps his position in the championship,” he said Sky Sports F1.
“We keep it respectful and try to win the race.”
Tire degradation was high in Friday’s practice sessions in Austin, but that has happened in several races this season, only for the Grand Prix to turn into a one-stop race as teams changed the set-up on their cars and the track caught up over the weekend.
However, overtaking is possible and Verstappen cut a sure figure to make it a hat-trick of wins and deny Antonelli any chance of winning the title on Sunday.
“We’ve been happier in the long run and I hope it’s the same tomorrow,” he said.
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Ahead of the US Grand Prix, Max Verstappen discusses Red Bull’s championship title aims for next season
As for Russell, it has been another tricky weekend and he faces a huge challenge to overtake Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc ahead of him, who have been fast in practice, to get into the fight for the podium.
Russell hasn’t been able to get to grips with Mercedes’ new upgrade package, but admits he just did “two bad laps in Q3”.
“I think I could have been in the top three. My Q2 lap was two and a half tenths faster than what I did in Q3, but it’s obviously not good enough from me,” he said. Sky Sports F1.
Asked about his prospects in the race, he said: “I think it’s a long race, there’s a lot going on here in Austin. Strategy plays a part, so there’s still a chance.”
Sky Sports F1 United States GP live schedule
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to happen at the United States Grand Prix.
Sunday, October 25
17:00: Race 3 of the F1 Academy
18:30: Grand Prix Sunday: US GP Preparation*
20:00: United States Grand Prix*
10:00 p.m.: Checkered flag: US GP reaction
11:00 p.m.: Teddy’s Notebook
*also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 heads to the Americas for another treble with the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the first this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
