Sergio Pérez has secured pole position for the Miami Grand Prix and has significantly increased the pressure on Max Verstappen – because the world champion will only start the race from ninth place on Sunday (9:30 p.m. CEST).
In the decisive part of qualifying, Verstappen initially spoiled the first fast lap due to a driving error. He was not granted a second because the session ended prematurely due to an accident involving Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
Pérez, on the other hand, showed a strong first lap, he turned the fastest lap in 1:26.841 minutes and thus has a good chance of taking the lead in the world championship for the first time. With a win on Sunday he would be at the top, currently he is six points behind Verstappen.
Behind Pérez, Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz start from positions two and three. Kevin Magnussen in the Haas used the confusion for a very strong fourth place on the grid.
Formula 1: Nico Hulkenberg with a mistake
His team-mate Nico Hülkenberg also had very good chances of finishing in the top 10, but he misbraked in the second part of qualifying and lost crucial tenths, ultimately being enough for 12th on the grid.
It’s already been a disappointing weekend for Mercedes. George Russell made it into the last qualifying segment and ended up sixth, record world champion Lewis Hamilton struggled with 13th place.
Pérez won the sprint and the Grand Prix in Baku last weekend and could now follow suit, after that it didn’t look like the practice sessions in Miami. Verstappen’s performances were sovereign, that also applied to the qualification – until his driving mistake put him in a bad position.
The weather may cause a few uncertainties for everyone involved: there could be rain before the start.