Miami Grand Prix – Sprint Qualifying: Lando Norris takes pole position in Miami

Lando Norris secured pole position for the Sprint race following a highly competitive qualifying session. Kimi Antonelli will start alongside him on the front row, while Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc round out the second row.

After a one-month break and a single free practice session—extended to 90 minutes to accommodate the slightly modified regulations—F1 returns to competition with this Sprint race qualifying session. Charles Leclerc finished ahead of Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri in FP1, proof that these three teams remain neck and neck and appear capable of closing the gap on Mercedes.

SQ1

The 22 drivers took to the track under bright sunshine and on a dry surface. Within the first few minutes, a yellow flag was already waved, caused by Lance Stroll coming to a stop on the track. The Canadian driver misjudged his turn but eventually got back on track without incident. Lagging far behind at the start of the season, Aston Martin still seems to be struggling. Stroll eventually retires; without a lap time, he will start in last position tomorrow. Charles Leclerc, who set the fastest time in free practice, confirms his strong form and takes the provisional pole ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton. These three are beaten by the McLarens. At the back of the pack, the Williams cars were the last to qualify for Q2. Pierre Gasly and Isack Hadjar made it through. However, it's all over for Esteban Ocon. He failed to reach Q2 for the first time this season.

Those eliminated are: Lawson (P16), Ocon (P17), Perez (P18), Albon (P19), Alonso (P21), and Stroll (P22)

Q2

Very quiet so far this weekend, the Mercedes are the first to take to the track. While they slightly improve their times compared to Q1, it's not enough. Charles Leclerc regains the lead with a gap of over a tenth, followed by his teammate. Oscar Piastri slots in between the Ferraris. Meanwhile, Lando Norris, struggling with understeer and oversteer, nearly ended up in the barriers. At the back, the Alpines are battling with Isack Hadjar and the two Audis to try to make it through to SQ3.

Those eliminated are: Gabriel Bortoleto (P11), Nico Hulkenberg (P12), Ollie Bearman (P13), Alex Albon (P14), Carlos Sainz (P15), and Arvid Lindblad (P16)

SQ3

Five teams will battle it out in these final eight minutes. The Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull trio is being very aggressive, while Mercedes seems a bit less on point. And then Alpine continues its strong run, placing both of its cars in the final stages of qualifying. Everyone waits until the last moment to leave the pits; everything will come down to a single lap. And in the end, it's Lando Norris who sets the fastest time. Already the pole-sitter here last year, he'll start from pole ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri. Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly are 9th and 10th, respectively.

The SQ3 standings: Lando Norris (P1), Kimi Antonelli (P2), Oscar Piastri (P3), Charles Leclerc (P4), Max Verstappen (P5), George Russell (P6), Lewis Hamilton (P7), Franco Colapinto (P8), Isack Hadjar (P9), and Pierre Gasly (P10)