{
  "id": 16417818,
  "title": "Antonelli storms to US Grand Prix pole on weekend he can take title",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/antonelli-storms-to-us-grand-prix-pole-on-weekend-he-can-take-title",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-25T03:04:32.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/motor-sports/2026/10/1563006/antonelli-storms-us-grand-prix-pole-weekend-he-can-take-title"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the United States Grand Prix, setting a record-breaking fastest lap in qualifying on Saturday. The 20-year-old Italian is leading the drivers' championship by 102 points, aiming to become the youngest champion in Formula One history and Italy's first since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Antonelli's fastest lap of 1min 34.035sec outpaced Max Verstappen by 0.179 seconds, with Verstappen finishing third in the session. If Antonelli wins the race and both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finish outside the top four, he will clinch the championship. Verstappen, who won the race from pole last year, struggled with balance during qualifying, attributing his difficulties to grip issues. The session took place under hot and cloudy conditions, with drivers needing to adhere strictly to track limits during qualifying.",
  "summary": "AUSTIN: Runaway world championship leader Kimi Antonelli showed no nerves as he stormed to pole position with a perfectly-measured fastest lap in qualifying on Saturday for the United States Grand Prix.",
  "key_points": [
    "Antonelli sets pole position for US Grand Prix",
    "20-year-old Italian leads drivers' championship",
    "Wins title if he wins race and top 4 finishers fail"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Securing pole position places the young Italian in a commanding position to break long-standing historical records and end Italy's decades-long championship drought.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}