On 'tense' Antonelli's big weekend, this was Hamilton's day — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Hamilton secured his first full-race pole position for Ferrari, edging Russell by 0.009 seconds for the 105th pole of his career and his first since the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix.
- Antonelli qualified fifth but will start fourth on the grid because of a one-place penalty for Verstappen, with only Hamilton and Russell mathematically able to prevent his title.
- Antonelli will become the youngest champion in history by more than three years if he brings it home; if Russell wins, he must finish ninth, and if Hamilton wins, tenth is enough.
- Antonelli said the stakes had made him more tense than usual and were affecting his driving and confidence, countering Hamilton's assessment that he only needed to finish in his current position.
- Hamilton leads Ferrari teammate Leclerc by eight points, while their qualifying head-to-head is 12-10 and Leclerc's average-pace advantage has narrowed from 0.15 seconds last year to 0.037.
- Hamilton said his form improved this year in a car he likes, directly addressing the questions that followed his 2025 Ferrari struggles, when he called himself "just useless" and suggested the team change drivers.
- Hamilton will start without a race-simulation run after a second-practice breakdown and called finding the right balance a "massive challenge," while Leclerc intends to use the slipstream on the 800-metre run to first corner.
Why it matters: With Antonelli starting fourth, only Hamilton or Russell can prevent him from becoming the youngest-ever champion, and even a win by either leaves him needing just ninth or tenth. Hamilton's front-row pole puts both mathematical spoilers together while contrasting with his difficult first Ferrari season, when he called himself "just useless."
Ask SkimNews
