F1 United States GP: Antonelli beats Verstappen to pole with Russell only sixth
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli has claimed his seventh pole of 2026 at Formula 1's United States Grand Prix, defeating Max Verstappen in a thrillingly close qualifying session in Austin.

Max Verstappen: What Happened
Autosport reported on Saturday, October 24, 2026 in a story involving Max Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli, United States Grand Prix. Here is how the report opens:
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli has claimed his seventh pole of 2026 at Formula 1's United States Grand Prix, defeating Max Verstappen in a thrillingly close qualifying session in Austin. Antonelli surged to pole with his first of two Q3 runs, which yielded a 1m34.035s as he headed Red Bull tandem Verstappen and Isack Hadjar by around two tenths, as few frontrunners improved on their final…
It is one of many Formula 1 stories we are following today, and 2 outlets are covering it. Below are the key takeaways, how the story is being reported across the sport, background on Max Verstappen and what to watch next.
Key Takeaways
- The story: F1 United States GP: Antonelli beats Verstappen to pole with Russell only sixth
- Who’s involved: Max Verstappen, Kimi Antonelli, United States Grand Prix and United States GP
- League: Formula 1
- First reported: Saturday, October 24, 2026 by Autosport
- Coverage: 2 outlets are covering it: Autosport and Formula1.com
- Trending: No. 4 on the ForTheFans trending list right now
How Other Outlets Are Covering It
The same F1 story, as reported by another outlet:
- What the teams said – Race day in the United StatesFormula1.com The drivers and teams report back on all the action from race day at the Circuit of The Americas for the United States Grand Prix.
- All the key moments from the 2026 United States Grand PrixFormula1.com The Circuit of The Americas put on another show as Kimi Antonelli beat Charles Leclerc to bring the Drivers' Championship within his reach.
- How ‘everything went wrong’ for Red Bull in United States GPFormula1.com Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar were left frustrated after they were held back by problems for Red Bull at the United States Grand Prix.
- Russell at a loss to explain United States GP strugglesFormula1.com George Russell was left searching for answers as a lack of pace, as well as a five-second penalty, saw him settle for an eighth-placed result.
- Antonelli surges to dominant victory in United States GPFormula1.com Kimi Antonelli may not have secured the Drivers' Championship in Austin, but a commanding performance earned him victory over Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.
- Alonso criticises quality of F1 backmarkers after Albon clash at United States GPAutosport Fernando Alonso let rip at Williams' Alex Albon after contact between their cars on the opening lap of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. It cost the Aston Martin driver four places in Austin and left him with…
Background: Max Verstappen
Max Emilian Verstappen (Dutch pronunciation: [ˈmɑks fɛrˈstɑpə(n)]; born 30 September 1997) is a Dutch and Belgian racing driver who competes under the Dutch flag in Formula One for Red Bull Racing. Verstappen has won four Formula One World Drivers' Championship titles, which he won consecutively from 2021 to 2024 with Red Bull, and has won 73 Grands Prix across 12 seasons.
Text from Wikipedia’s Max Verstappen article, CC BY-SA 4.0.
What’s Next for Max Verstappen
For fans following Max Verstappen, the next things to watch are the race results, qualifying, driver standings and constructors’ championship. Stories like this one tend to move quickly, so check back for follow-up reports and reaction as more outlets pick it up.
- Latest Formula 1 news today: every F1 headline as it breaks
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- More Max Verstappen news from around the web
- Around the Web: today’s top sports stories from every outlet
More Formula 1 News Today
F1 readies Antonelli's title champagne in Austin: 'The race of a champion who isn't champion yet'
Kimi Antonelli isn't F1 world champion just yet, but after winning in Austin on Sunday, it's only a matter of time for Mercedes' winderkind.
Antonelli wins U.S. GP but made to wait for title
Kimi Antonelli produced another masterful drive to win the United States Grand Prix -- but will have to wait to clinch his first Formula 1 world title.
Wolff hails Antonelli’s ‘best race’ in Austin
Toto Wolff has explained why he rates Kimi Antonelli’s dominant United States Grand Prix victory as his “best race” yet, while offering an insight into the championship leader’s relaxed mindset.
Norris admits McLaren are 'just not quick enough'
Reigning World Champion Lando Norris was honest about where McLaren struggled to perform after a tough weekend at the United States Grand Prix.
Russell: P2 in title race 'doesn't mean anything'
George Russell says finishing second in the championship would not mean anything as boss Toto Wolff hit back at suggestions that the British driver may never get another shot at the title.
Hamilton singles out his ‘biggest issue’ in US GP
Lewis Hamilton highlighted problems with the balance of his car as he finished in fourth, while Charles Leclerc claimed another podium in Austin.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened with Max Verstappen?
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli has claimed his seventh pole of 2026 at Formula 1's United States Grand Prix, defeating Max Verstappen in a thrillingly close qualifying session in Austin. Antonelli surged to pole with his first of two Q3 runs, which yielded a 1m34.035s as he headed Red Bull tandem Verstappen and Isack Hadjar by around two tenths, as few frontrunners improved on their final… Autosport reported the story on Saturday, October 24, 2026.
Who reported this F1 story?
Autosport first reported it on Saturday, October 24, 2026. Formula1.com and Autosport also covered it. ForTheFans summarizes it here with background and related Formula 1 news.
Where can I get the latest Formula 1 news today?
The ForTheFans Formula 1 page collects every F1 headline as it breaks, including race results, qualifying and driver standings, with live scores on our scores page.
Summarized by ForTheFans from reporting by Autosport. Headlines, quoted text and photos belong to their publishers. How we report
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