Kimi Antonelli delivered a sensational performance in Miami F1 qualifying to claim pole position in scorching conditions, beating Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc. The Mercedes driver scored his third pole in a row.
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Great heat and asphalt temperature awaited the F1 grid for the qualifying.
Q1 – Mercedes is back, Piastri struggled
The first shots came on soft compounds, Verstappen was the fastest with 1:29.099 ahead of Norris and Leclerc. However these laps were not the edge. Then Antonelli jumped to 2nd place less than a tenth to Verstappen.
Secondly Antonelli improved by half a second and topped the chart, Leclerc followed him by three-tens. Surprisingly Piastri could not complete a strong lap and finished only 16th in the first phase.
Out: Lindblad, Alonso, Stroll, Perez, Bottas, Bortoleto
Q2 – Norris mistake
Verstappen opened with 1:28.991, but Leclerc and then Hamilton pushed better times – the British led by 1:28.477 at the early stage of Q2. A bit later Antonelli topped the chart, while Russell came 3rd. Behind them Piastri stood. Norris made a mistake previously, in this way he needed to do another flying lap – 9th only.
Antonelli was quicker than his previous lap, but Verstappen seemed better, almost two-tens for this time. Leclerc finished the 3rd phase.
Out: Hulkenberg, Lawson, Bearman, Sainz, Ocon, Albon
Q3 – Antonelli shocked firstly
1:28.657 was the opening lap by Piastri, but Norris and Verstappen could beat him. Then Leclerc seemed faster for a while until Antonelli pushed a 1:27.798.
In the final shots just Verstappen could improve, and finished second. Antonelli’s first lap was strong enough for pole, Leclerc finished 3rd finally.
The full results of the qualifying according to FIA.com:
