Live: Antonelli on pole with chance to become F1 world champion

Mon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:00amMon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:00amSTARTING GRID: F1 United States Grand PrixMon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:30amMon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:30amWhat are the pit strategy options for this morning?The simulations from tyre manufacturer Pirelli show that the one-stop appears to be the best option today.(F1)Either starting on the soft or medium, then changing to the hard compound, is the optimal strategy.The pit window on those strategies will be between laps 20-27.If there is higher tyre degradation than expected, then a two-stop going soft-medium-soft is an option, albeit sub-optimal.Mon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:20amMon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:20amF1 drivers' and constructors' championship standingsDrivers' championship standings1: 340 — Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes2: 238 — George Russell, Mercedes3: 229 — Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari4: 221 — Max Verstappen, Red Bull5: 215 — Charles Leclerc, Ferrari6: 201 — Lando Norris, McLaren7: 138 — Oscar Piastri, McLaren8: 97 — Isack Hadjar, Red Bull9: 75 — Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls/Red Bull10: 41 — Pierre Gasly, Alpine11: 38 — Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls12: 27 — Franco Colapinto, Alpine13: 23 — Oliver Bearman, Haas14: 13 — Nico Hülkenberg, Audi15: 10 — Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi16: 7 — Esteban Ocon, Haas17: 7 — Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin18: 7 — Carlos Sainz, Williams19: 5 — Alex Albon, Williams20: 1 — Yuki Tsunoda, Racing Bulls21: 0 — Lance Stroll, Aston Martin22: 0 — Valtteri Bottas, Cadillac23: 0 — Sergio Pérez, CadillacConstructors' championship standings1: 578 — Mercedes2: 444 — Ferrari3: 339 — McLaren4: 332 — Red Bull5: 100 — Racing Bulls6: 68 — Alpine7: 30 — Haas8: 23 — Audi9: 12 — Williams10: 7 — Aston Martin11: 0 — CadillacMon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:10amMon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:10amHow can Kimi Antonelli win the F1 drivers' championship today?(Reuters)The equation for Kimi Antonelli is very simple: win and hope for other results. Antonelli enters this morning's grand prix on 340 points, 102 more than teammate George Russell and 111 ahead of Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton.The Italian needs to have a lead of 125 points or more to seal the drivers' championship at the United States Grand Prix. That will happen if Antonelli wins the race, Russell finishes ninth or worse, and Hamilton finishes fifth or worse.AntonelliRussell HamiltonChampionship resultWin 9th or lower 5th or lower Antonelli becomes championWin8th or better5th or lowerHamilton eliminatedWin9th or lower4th or betterRussell eliminatedWin8th or better5th or lowerChampionship remains alive2nd or lowerAnyAnyChampionship remains aliveMon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:05amMon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:05amCatch up on yesterday's qualifying sessionNeed a refresh on how qualifying went yesterday.Tap the link below and get up to speed.Mon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:00amMon 26 Oct 2026 at 6:00amWhat time does the F1 US Grand Prix begin?Here is when the F1 United States Grand Prix begins in your state or territory.7am AEDT: NSW, Victoria, ACT, Tasmania6:30am: ACDT: South Australia6am AEST: Queensland5:30am ACST: Northern Territory4am AWST: Western AustraliaMon 26 Oct 2026 at 5:59amMon 26 Oct 2026 at 5:59amWelcome to the ABC Sport F1 blogHowdy — good morning, Australia.Welcome back to ABC Sport's live digital coverage of the 2026 Formula 1 championship season.We are in Texas for the United States Grand Prix, and this morning's race has the potential to be historic.Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has the chance to seal the drivers' championship with a win, and a few other results.Be part of the conversation, and let me know your thoughts on all things F1, in the comment section.