Qualifying Report - Antonelli takes third straight F1 pole

Kimi Antonelli
© Mercedes

Kimi Antonelli claimed his third successive Formula 1 pole position at the Miami Grand Prix, beating Max Verstappen in a hot qualifying session at the Miami International Autodrome.

The Mercedes driver’s opening Q3 lap of 1m27.798s proved decisive. Verstappen improved late to take second for Red Bull, ahead of Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, but neither could dislodge Antonelli from the top.

Qualifying began in punishing conditions, with 34C (93.2F) ambient heat and track temperatures above 50C (122F). Verstappen set the early Q1 pace before Antonelli responded with a 1m28.653s to lead the segment.

Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi suffered fiery power unit trouble, leaving him stranded, while Aston Martin and Cadillac again struggled. Arvid Lindblad was also eliminated, giving Oscar Piastri a narrow escape in 16th.

In Q2, Verstappen briefly took control with a 1m28.116s. Nico Hulkenberg missed the cut in 11th, followed by Liam Lawson, the Haas pair and both Williams drivers. Franco Colapinto impressed by reaching Q3 for Alpine, ahead of team-mate Pierre Gasly.

Antonelli then delivered the decisive lap early in Q3. Verstappen’s final effort moved him ahead of Leclerc, while Lando Norris took fourth after winning the sprint race earlier in the day. George Russell was fifth, with Lewis Hamilton sixth for Ferrari.

Piastri qualified seventh, Colapinto took a career-best eighth, and Isack Hadjar and Gasly completed the top 10.

Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix is scheduled for 4pm local time, though thunderstorms could affect the start.