Miami’s fifth Formula 1 race kicked off with a thrilling qualifying session, as Kimi Antonelli took pole position for tomorrow’s main event. The 19-year-old Italian driver posted a quick 1m27.798s in Q3, securing Mercedes’ first pole here and marking his third consecutive top qualifying result. Antonelli will start ahead of Max Verstappen, who set a late-time charge to ensure a front-row spot, just 0.166 seconds behind.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc qualified third amid shifting wind conditions, while McLaren’s Lando Norris, fresh off a dominant Sprint win earlier today, qualified fourth. Norris’s impressive race pace in the Sprint, where he led comfortably before finishing second, set the tone for an exciting race day in Miami’s sun-drenched atmosphere, packed with celebrity spectators including Jimmy Fallon and Shaquille O’Neal.
Qualifying unfolded under scorching conditions, with air temps reaching 92°F and track temps hitting 126°F. Several drivers, including Aston Martin and Gabriel Bortoleto, encountered mechanical issues, with Bortoleto suffering a brake fire that abruptly ended his session.
Earlier, Norris claimed his fourth Sprint victory, finishing 3.76 seconds ahead of teammate Piastri. The race was marred by DNFs from Nico Hulkenberg and Arvid Lindblad due to technical issues, while Nico Hulkenberg’s car caught fire on reconnaissance lap, preventing him from starting.
In the support series, Formula 2 delivered a dramatic finale, with Nikola Tsolov edging Laurens van Hoepen in a final-corner showdown—delivering an exhilarating North American debut for the series.
The Miami Grand Prix, hosted at the iconic Miami International Autodrome, now begins at 1 p.m. for its 57-lap main race, after a day filled with high-energy racing, celebrity appearances, and a vibrant festival atmosphere. Stay tuned for more on what promises to be an unforgettable race weekend. Visit f1miamigp.com for more info.
Photo Credit: FORMULA 1® CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX
