Antonelli takes United States GP pole ahead of Verstappen

Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position for the United States Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen by 0.179 seconds in qualifying at Circuit of The Americas. Isack Hadjar took third, completing a front-row lockout for Mercedes and placing both Red Bull drivers among the top three starters. Antonelli’s first Q3 lap secured the top spot. He said Mercedes was strongest in the first two sectors, particularly through Turns 8 and 9, while the car still struggled somewhat in low-speed corners. The Mercedes driver said the team had worked hard to understand its package and described the pole as unexpected, though he knew the fight would be close. Verstappen said his Red Bull felt strong in Q1 and Q2, including when he set his fastest Q2 time on used tyres. In Q3, however, he found the car lacked grip and balance on both sets of tyres, leaving him unable to lean on the rear as he wanted. He said he had no explanation for the change in feel. The Dutchman also pointed to gusty wind, particularly affecting his final attempt. He described sliding after hitting a bump while pushing harder, but said the wind did not explain why his first Q3 run felt different from the earlier sessions. Verstappen...