World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli has secured pole position for the Miami Grand Prix (Sunday, May 9, 2026, 10 p.m. CEST) and has brought relief to Mercedes.
After the Silver Arrows had only lagged behind when Formula 1 returned, the Italian struck back in qualifying with the fastest lap of the day. It was the third pole in a row for the shooting star.
The four-time world champion Max Verstappen completely surprisingly secured second place and underlined the positive development at Red Bull. Third place went to Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari.
Setback for George Russell
McLaren driver Lando Norris, who had previously won the sprint confidently, was unable to keep up with the competition in the time hunt and only came fourth. In the Silver Arrows’ internal team duel, George Russell suffered another setback in fifth place, the momentum is currently clearly with Antonelli.
Record world champion Lewis Hamilton continues to have big problems in Miami and came sixth in the second Ferrari. Oscar Piastri, second in the sprint, had difficulties like Norris and only finished seventh.
Weather chaos feared during the race
In Miami, Formula 1 has so far been unpredictable and predictions are hardly possible. And the balance of power could shift again on Sunday. Due to the predicted storm in Miami, the FIA, the world automobile association, has officially declared the fourth Grand Prix of the year a rain race; the drivers lack experience in wet conditions with the new cars.
It is also unclear whether the start will be moved forward to avoid possible weather chaos.
Black day for Audi
As in Australia, China and Japan, Nico Hülkenberg took eleventh place in qualifying with his Audi. The German factory team had previously experienced a day to forget. Hülkenberg, who still has no championship points this season, was unable to take part in the sprint; his car caught fire on the way to the starting grid.
Teammate Gabriel Bortoleto was subsequently disqualified for violating the engine’s intake air pressure regulations, and his brakes caught fire during the hunt for times. So it was only enough for the last starting position.
