Antonelli expects Verstappen and Hadjar to make victory difficult in Austin

Kimi Antonelli expects a hard fight to convert pole into victory at Sunday's United States Grand Prix. After qualifying, the Mercedes driver said Max Verstappen had been very quick and Isack Hadjar had done an excellent job, adding that winning would not be easy. He hopes for a good start and to lead into Turn 1 before setting the pace.

Antonelli put Mercedes provisionally on pole with his first flying lap in Q3. He looked set to improve on his final run, but a huge moment in the second sector forced him to abandon it. No one beat his 1:34.035.

To clinch the championship in Austin, Antonelli must win, while George Russell finishes ninth or lower and Lewis Hamilton fifth or lower. Russell is set to start sixth; Hamilton fifth.