Kimi Antonelli took the pole position at the Miami GP.
Kimi Antonelli won the pole position in Miami. PDO
Miami GP qualifying
1. Kimi Antonelli, 2. Max Verstappen, 3. Charles Leclerc, 4. Lando Norris, 5. George Russell, 6. Lewis Hamilton, 7. Oscar Piastri, 8. Franco Colapinto, 9. Isack Hadjar, 10. Pierre Gasly, 11. Nico Hülkenberg, 12. Liam Lawson, 13. Oliver Bearman, 14. Carlos Sainz, 15. Esteban Ocon, 16. Alex Albon, 17. Arvid Lindblad, 18. Fernando Alonso, 19. Lance Stroll, 20. Valtteri Bottas, 21. Sergio Pérez, 22. Gabriel Bortoleto
The starting order of Sunday’s F1 race was decided in Miami.
There was a fierce battle for the pole position between drivers from no less than four stables. The first attachment to it was taken by Mercedes Kimi Antonelliwho left Ferrari Charles Leclerc 0.345 seconds away.
Also Red Bull Max Verstappen and McLaren Lando Norris were still within striking distance.
It was really hot in Miami. The air temperature was 34 degrees and over 50 degrees was measured on the surface of the track.
That, combined with the heavy fire, could make the course slower all the time. With the second attempt only Verstappen was able to improve his time, but even he was unable to respond to Antonelli’s challenge.
The young Italian thus took his third consecutive pole position.
– An incredible day. We struggled in the sprint, but I’m really happy with this. Fortunately, the first round was good enough, Antonelli said.
– I was really stressed when I was just waiting for the others to finish their rounds.
Valtteri Bottas momentum is still completely lost. He was already last in the sprint and the time trial ended immediately after the first part.
If no penalties are given to anyone, Bottas will start on the 20th starting grid, i.e. the second last possible.
Behind him in qualifying was only the Audi driver who suffered from technical problems Gabriel Bortoleto and team mate Sergio Perez.
The gap between the Finn and the top was almost three seconds.
In addition to Bottas and Pérez, they dropped out of the continuation Fernando Alonso, Lance Stroll, Arvid Lindblad and Bortoleto, whose car still caught fire after qualifying.
Sunday’s race schedule may still have to be moved, because a strong thunderstorm is forecast for Florida.
