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The Miami Grand Prix weekend kicked off in spectacular style with a dramatic Sprint Qualifying session that delivered both surprises and storylines for the rest of the event. Under the sweltering Florida sun, with air temperatures hovering at 28°C and track temperatures soaring to 45.8°C, the drivers faced a challenging, high-grip circuit and a fiercely competitive field. The session was punctuated by yellow flags, deleted laps, and a flurry of late drama, but it was Mercedesâ rookie Kimi Antonelli who stole the show, claiming his first Sprint pole in Formula 1.
The opening segment of Sprint Qualifying (SQ1) set the tone for a tense session. With the Miami International Autodromeâs tight confines and high temperatures, drivers were immediately on the limit. Several were caught out by track limits, most notably Carlos Sainz, who had a lap deleted for running wide at Turn 15. The stewards were busy, investigating multiple driversâincluding Sainz, George Russell, Alexander Albon, Liam Lawson, and Gabriel Bortoletoâfor failing to follow the maximum delta time instructions. Ultimately, no further action was taken, but the message was clear: discipline would be crucial.
Jack Doohan and Liam Lawson had a close call in the pit lane, with Doohan complaining over the radio about an unsafe release: âMan, man, thatâs not acceptable⊠If youâre going to send him after me you have to make sure heâs ready or before me. I canât turn out then have to pull out because heâs going to run into me and then you guys put me out of Q1. Thatâs a joke.â The tension in the garages was palpable, as every thousandth of a second counted.
As the session wound down, the first major casualty was Oliver Bearman, who struggled to find pace in his Haas and was eliminated, along with Bortoleto, Stroll, Doohan, and Tsunoda. The field was already showing signs of how tight the margins would be for the rest of the session.
The second segment saw the intensity ramp up further. Max Verstappen, who had looked imperious in practice, found himself under investigation for failing to adhere to the maximum delta time. The Red Bull driverâs session was not as smooth as he would have liked, with traffic and yellow flags disrupting several runs. Lando Norris, too, was frustrated, reporting over the radio, âYeah, I got held up. Yeah, understood, that was Max.â
Track limits continued to bite, with Lewis Hamilton losing a lap for running wide at Turn 17. The stewards also reviewed an incident between Bearman and Nico Hulkenberg for impeding, but again, no further action was taken.
As the chequered flag fell, the big names made it through, but the midfield was as competitive as ever. Albon, Gasly, Lawson, Sainz, and Stroll were among those who missed out on a spot in the top ten shootout, with Sainz apologizing to his team: âSorry for that guys, my mistake.â
The final segment was a showcase of raw speed and composure under pressure. With the track at its fastest and the sun beginning to dip, the top ten drivers bolted on fresh soft tyres for their final assault. The session was interrupted by double yellow flags in Sectors 19 and 20, forcing drivers to abort laps and adding to the tension.
Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old Mercedes rookie, was the revelation of the session. On his final run, he pieced together a near-perfect lap, setting a 1:26.482âjust 0.045s ahead of Oscar Piastriâs McLaren and 0.1s clear of Lando Norris. Antonelliâs radio after the session captured the emotion: âYes mate. Thatâs P1. Yes! Yes mate! Come on! Come on! Well done lad. Huh? Not bad, not bad. I think weâre getting somewhere⊠youâre not an Andrea today⊠definitely not.â Later, he added, âHow does that feel then? Mate, it feels mega.â
Piastri and Norris locked out the next two spots for McLaren, underlining the teamâs continued resurgence. Verstappen, who had looked set for pole, could only manage fourth after a scruffy final sector and the earlier disruptions. George Russell slotted into fifth, with Charles Leclerc sixth for Ferrari.
Lewis Hamilton was seventh, unable to extract the maximum from his Ferrari on the final run. Alexander Albon delivered a strong performance for Williams in eighth, while Isack Hadjar impressed for Racing Bulls in ninth. Fernando Alonso rounded out the top ten for Aston Martin, despite a fraught session that included complaints about traffic and a dangerous moment at the final corner.
Kimi Antonelliâs pole is the headline story. The young Italian has been steadily building momentum in his rookie season, but this was a statement of intent. On a day when the established stars faltered, Antonelli kept his cool and delivered when it mattered most. His lap was not just quickâit was composed, aggressive, and showed a maturity beyond his years. Mercedes will be buoyed by this result, as they look to reassert themselves at the front of the field.
Both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were in the mix throughout the session, and their second and third places on the grid set them up perfectly for the Sprint. McLarenâs ability to get both cars into the top three is a testament to their progress over the past 12 months. Piastri, in particular, has been in scintillating form, and his confidence is growing with every session.
For Max Verstappen, fourth place will feel like a missed opportunity. The Red Bull driver was hampered by traffic, yellow flags, and an investigation for failing to follow race director instructions. While he remains a threat for the Sprint and the Grand Prix, the session highlighted that Red Bullâs dominance is no longer a givenâespecially on weekends where the margins are so fine.
Track limits were a recurring theme, with several drivers losing laps at key moments. The stewards were also busy with investigations into pit lane incidents and delta time infringements. While no major penalties were handed out, the strict enforcement of the rules kept everyone on their toes and added an extra layer of complexity to the session.
Alexander Albonâs eighth place for Williams and Isack Hadjarâs ninth for Racing Bulls were standout performances. Both drivers maximized their opportunities and will be looking to capitalize in the Sprint. For teams like Alpine, Kick Sauber, and Haas, the session was a reminder of how competitive the midfield has becomeâevery detail matters, and small mistakes are ruthlessly punished.
Antonelliâs pole is a huge boost for Mercedes, who have been searching for a breakthrough after a challenging start to the season. While one lap pace does not always translate to race performance, the signs are encouraging. If Antonelli can convert his pole into a strong Sprint result, it could mark a turning point for the team.
McLarenâs long-run pace has been a strength all season, and with both cars starting at the sharp end, they are well-placed to challenge for maximum points in the Sprint. Piastri and Norris have shown they can work together strategically, and their tyre management could be decisive in the hot Miami conditions.
Verstappenâs fourth place is not a disaster, but it does put him on the back foot. He will need to be aggressive at the start of the Sprint to avoid losing touch with the leaders. The investigation into his SQ2 delta time could also have ramifications, depending on the stewardsâ decision.
Ferrariâs Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will be disappointed not to be higher up, but both are within striking distance. The midfield battle remains as fierce as ever, with Williams, Racing Bulls, and Aston Martin all capable of springing a surprise.
Sprint Qualifying in Miami has set the stage for a thrilling weekend. Kimi Antonelliâs maiden pole is a feel-good story for Mercedes and for Formula 1, as a new generation continues to make its mark. McLaren are poised to challenge, Red Bull are under pressure, and the midfield is as unpredictable as ever.
With the Sprint and Grand Prix still to come, all eyes will be on how the teams and drivers adapt to the evolving conditions and the relentless pace of the Miami circuit. If Sprint Qualifying is any indication, we are in for a weekend of high drama, close racing, and perhaps a few more surprises.
Stay tuned for all the latest updates, analysis, and reaction as the Miami Grand Prix weekend unfolds.
Heâs a software engineer with a deep passion for Formula 1 and motorsport. He co-founded Formula Live Pulse to make live telemetry and race insights accessible, visual, and easy to follow.
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