Miami Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying Report
Andrea Kimi Antonelli Secures Maiden Sprint Pole
In a thrilling sprint qualifying session at the Miami Grand Prix, Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed his first pole position, finishing with a time of 1:26.482. The 18-year-old Italian’s performance outpaced both McLaren drivers, Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who qualified second and third, respectively, with times just 0.045s and 0.100s off the lead.
Top Qualifiers
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen secured fourth place, while George Russell rounded out the top five, indicating strong competition among the Mercedes and Red Bull teams.
Session Highlights
The qualifying session saw a notable struggle for track position in SQ1, where 20 cars competed for clear air. Antonelli set the early pace and ultimately led through the first run. A late scramble for faster times caused traffic issues for several drivers, leading to the elimination of notable contenders such as Nico Hulkenberg, Esteban Ocon, and Carlos Sainz.
In the decisive top 10 shootout, both Russell and Verstappen opted for early laps, maintaining significant pace as the track conditions improved. Antonelli celebrated his achievement enthusiastically, marking a significant milestone in his debut season.
Traffic Challenges
Traffic played a crucial role in shaping the final grid. Drivers like Jack Doohan and Yuki Tsunoda were hampered in their second attempts, contributing to their inability to advance past SQ1.
Upcoming Race
The Miami Grand Prix sprint will take place on Saturday at noon local time, featuring a 19-lap race at the Miami Autodrome. As teams finalize their strategies, Antonelli and McLaren will be focal points, offering a captivating preview of the main event on Sunday.
Stay tuned for continuous updates and expert analysis leading into the race weekend.
