Kimi Antonelli starts the United States Grand Prix from pole position in Austin.
Antonelli beat Max Verstappen by 0.179 seconds in the final qualifying session.
It is his seventh pole of 2026, and his first since the Belgian Grand Prix in July.
Team boss Toto Wolff said he did not fully understand where the lap came from.
Verstappen starts next to Antonelli, with Isack Hadjar third in the second Red Bull.
Charles Leclerc starts fourth, Lewis Hamilton fifth, and George Russell sixth.
Antonelli wins the title if he wins and Russell finishes ninth or lower.
Hamilton must also finish fifth or lower for Antonelli to seal the crown on Sunday.
At 20 years and 61 days, he would beat Sebastian Vettel's youngest-champion record.
He would be Italy's first world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Lights go out at 8:00 PM UK time on Sunday, which is 1:00 AM Monday in Pakistan.
If the title is not sealed in Austin, the fight moves to Mexico City and Sao Paulo.
Get the full breakdown, key numbers, and what happens next.
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