McLaren's Norris Ends Mercedes' Pole Streak in Miami Sprint Qualifying

Key facts

• Lando Norris set the fastest lap in Sprint Qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix.
• Mercedes had held every pole position in the 2026 season before Miami.
• Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, was outgunned by Norris.
• McLaren introduced a heavily upgraded car across the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix.
• Max Verstappen finished fifth in the sprint race, citing poor starts and battery issues.
• Verstappen stated the Red Bull car 'is still jumping a lot' and needs improvement.
• The sprint race and qualifying took place on Saturday at the Miami Grand Prix.

Norris Stuns Mercedes in Miami

Lando Norris ended Mercedes' stranglehold on pole positions in the 2026 Formula One season with a scintillating lap in Sprint Qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix. The McLaren driver outpaced championship leader Kimi Antonelli, delivering a performance that reshuffled the pecking order in the Sunshine State. The result marks the first time this season that a Mercedes driver has not started a race from pole.

McLaren's Upgraded Car Delivers

McLaren Team Principal Andrea Stella had revealed before the weekend that the team would bring a completely new car across the Miami and Canadian Grands Prix. While the team hoped to close the gap to Mercedes, they did not expect to overhaul them entirely. The upgrade package proved decisive, giving Norris the pace to outgun Antonelli and seize pole.

Verstappen Struggles with Red Bull

Max Verstappen finished fifth in the sprint race and expressed frustration with his car's performance. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: 'The starts were not good, after the corner I had no battery release. After that, the car didn't feel too bad. The race was alright, there's still a lot of room for improvement needed from us, the car is not where I want it to be at. It's still jumping a lot but there's just room for improvement from us.' The Dutchman's struggles highlight Red Bull's ongoing difficulties with car balance and reliability.

Sprint Qualifying Shakes Up Order

The Miami Grand Prix sprint weekend saw a significant shift in the competitive landscape. Norris's pole-breaking lap not only ended Mercedes' dominance but also signaled McLaren's resurgence as a front-running team. The data from Sprint Qualifying, analyzed by F1.com's Lawrence Barretto, revealed a clear step forward for the Woking-based squad. Meanwhile, Antonelli, who leads the championship, will have to fight from behind in the sprint race.

What Comes Next

The sprint race and qualifying for the main Grand Prix are set to take place on Saturday, with the main event on Sunday. Norris will start the sprint from pole, while Verstappen and Red Bull will look to recover from their qualifying disappointment. The upgraded McLaren will be closely watched to see if it can sustain its pace over a full race distance. Mercedes, for their part, will need to respond to this unexpected challenge to their dominance.

The bottom line

• Lando Norris and McLaren ended Mercedes' perfect pole record in 2026 with a heavily upgraded car.
• Championship leader Kimi Antonelli was outqualified by Norris, shaking up the title fight.
• Max Verstappen finished fifth in the sprint, citing poor starts and ongoing car issues.
• McLaren's upgrade package, planned across Miami and Canada, exceeded expectations.
• The Miami Grand Prix sprint weekend has introduced a new dynamic to the 2026 season.