Antonelli says Mercedes upgrades are paying off after Austin pole

Kimi Antonelli took pole for the United States Grand Prix in Austin, his first since July's Belgian Grand Prix. He said Mercedes was beginning to get results from its development work. Antonelli credited progress since Singapore, while acknowledging the team still needed to understand the package better.

The Malaysia upgrade made the W17 quicker but harder to set up. Mercedes' opening practice in Austin suggested that challenge had not disappeared; the team then gradually improved the car's balance. Mercedes also brought a new front wing to Austin after testing it in Singapore practice.

Antonelli held off Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar as gusts worsened through Q3, making the first of the two qualifying runs pivotal. He said avoiding track-limit infringements helped him build through the session without putting himself in a difficult position.