Formula 1: Kimi Antonelli started from pole position at the US Grand Prix in Austin

Kimi Antonelli fueled his hopes of being crowned world champion early with a fantastic qualifying lap. The 20-year-old Italian, who has to win the US Grand Prix race in Austin this evening (9 p.m./Sky) in the Mercedes and needs mistakes from his pursuers, raced to pole position in qualifying - the seventh of his young career. “Oh yeah, man, it feels good to be back,” Antonelli radioed to his team overjoyed.

Max Verstappen came second. Behind the four-time world champion was his Red Bull teammate Isack Hadjar in third place. Charles Leclerc came fourth and Lewis Hamilton fifth, after the Ferrari duo had previously dominated the training sessions. Antonelli's teammate George Russell only finished sixth. Nico Hülkenberg missed the top ten in the Audi.

When it mattered in the last of the three periods, Antonelli showed his qualities. Leclerc had previously set the fastest time twice, and before the knockout elimination Hamilton was in first place. Especially in the last sector of the spectacular route in the US state of Texas, Antonelli and Russell initially lost time to the fastest drivers. But on his first attempt, Antonelli set a best time that none of his competitors could match.

He leads the rankings with 102 points ahead of Russell, Hamilton is 111 points short of first place. If the Italian wins in Austin, Hamilton cannot go higher than fifth place and Russell cannot go higher than ninth place. Then Antonelli would be the youngest world champion. However, he is not allowed to celebrate with bubbly in Austin: alcohol is only permitted there from the age of 21. Antonelli would replace Sebastian Vettel in the record list, who was 23 years old in 2010 when he won the first of his four world championship titles.

Antonelli had emphasized before the first laps at the Circuit of The Americas that he had to have a perfect weekend, while his pursuers had to do poorly. Antonelli, who would become the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, believes that is unlikely. Antonelli would have his next chance at the end of next week, when things continue in Mexico City.