Kimi Antonelli has acknowledged the threat posed by Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar after securing a crucial pole position for the United States Grand Prix.
The fight for pole at the Circuit of the Americas was expected to be between Verstappen and the Ferraris, only for the championship leader to deliver a shock.
Antonelli found tremendous pace in the final part of qualifying and put his Mercedes on provisional pole following his first flying lap.
He looked set to better his lap time on his final run, only to have a huge moment in the second sector, which forced the 20-year-old to bail out.
Thankfully, nobody could topple Antonelli's 1m 34.035s, with the Italian now having a real chance of becoming world champion on Sunday.
To become champion in Austin, Antonelli must win, George Russell must finish ninth or lower, and Lewis Hamilton must finish fifth or lower. Russell starts from sixth, with Hamilton in fifth.
While a real shot at wrapping up the title awaits, Antonelli's eyes are on getting through the first corner in the lead.
"We got pole, so we will try to win tomorrow," said Antonelli.
"Max has been very quick and Isack did an incredible job, so it won't be easy.
"We will try to get a good start and hopefully we lead into Turn 1, then set the pace, even though it will be very tight.
"Very happy with qualifying. Q3 was very tough with the wind. Very gusty and unpredictable but happy to put it on pole."
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