Sergio Perez has secured pole position for the Miami Grand Prix and has significantly increased the pressure on Max Verstappen – because the Formula 1 world champion will only start from ninth place in the race on Sunday (May 7th, 2023).
In the crucial third section of qualifying, Verstappen initially spoiled the first fast lap due to a driving error. He was not granted a second because the session ended almost a minute and a half early due to an accident involving Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc.
Perez, on the other hand, had shown a strong first round. He turned the fastest lap on Saturday in 1:26.841 minutes and therefore has a good chance of taking the lead in the world championship for the first time. A win on Sunday would put him at the top. He is currently six points behind Verstappen.
Fernando Alonso impressed with second place
Behind Perez, the again strong Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz start from positions two and three. Kevin Magnussen im Haas used the confusion for an excellent fourth place on the grid.
His team-mate Nico Hülkenberg also had a very good chance of finishing in the top 10, but he made a poor braking decision in the second part of qualifying and lost crucial tenths. In the end it was enough for 12th place on the grid.
Lewis Hamilton knocked off
It’s already been a disappointing weekend for Mercedes. George Russell at least made it into the final qualifying segment and ended up sixth. Record world champion Lewis Hamilton had to settle for 13th place.
Perez won the sprint and the grand prix in Baku last weekend and could now follow suit. It hadn’t looked like that in the training sessions in Miami. Verstappen’s performances were sovereign. This also applied to qualifying – until his driving mistake put him in a bad position. The weather could cause a few uncertainties for everyone involved: Before the start there could be rain in Miami, which is actually sunny.