# Kimi Antonelli's 2026 F1 Championship Chance

> Kimi Antonelli's pole position could clinch 2026 F1 title at Austin race.
- Title: Kimi Antonelli's 2026 F1 Championship Chance · Sky Sports
- Summary: Kimi Antonelli's pole position could clinch 2026 F1 title at Austin race. Kimi Antonelli may win 2026 F1 Drivers' Championship if he wins Sunday's Austin…
- Keywords: kimi antonelli, f1 2026, united states gp, austin, mercedes, max verstappen, lewis hamilton, george russell, championship, sports, Kimi, Antonelli's
- Source: Sky Sports — https://skysports.com/f1/news/12040/13603166/united-states-gp-how-likely-is-pole-sitter-kimi-antonelli-to-win-2026-f1-drivers-championship-on-sunday-in-austin
- Author: Nigel Chiu
- Published: 2026-10-25T01:40:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: kimi antonelli, f1 2026, united states gp, austin, mercedes, max verstappen, lewis hamilton, george russell, championship, sports
## Kimi Antonelli pole position
Kimi Antonelli starts Sunday's race in Austin on pole position after beating Max Verstappen in qualifying.
## Championship win conditions
Antonelli needs Hamilton fifth or lower and Russell ninth to seal 2026 Drivers' Championship with five races left.
## Mercedes pace concerns
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says winning the championship is 'not realistic' due to lack of race pace.

> We are not talking about that [the championship]. It's not realistic
## Key takeaway

Kimi Antonelli may win 2026 F1 Drivers' Championship if he wins Sunday's Austin race with Hamilton fifth or lower and Russell ninth.