Antonelli Takes Third Straight Pole as Thunderstorms Force Earlier Miami GP Start

Key facts

• Kimi Antonelli claimed pole with a lap of 1min 27.798sec in Q3.
• Max Verstappen qualified second, 0.15 seconds behind Antonelli.
• Race start moved from 4pm to 1pm local time due to forecast thunderstorms.
• Antonelli leads the world championship by seven points over teammate George Russell.
• Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were fourth and seventh for McLaren.
• Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton qualified third and sixth for Ferrari.
• George Russell managed only fifth, four-tenths off Antonelli's pace.
• Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren brought major upgrades to Miami.

Pole Position and a Resurgent Verstappen

Kimi Antonelli secured his third consecutive pole position for the Miami Grand Prix, delivering a controlled lap of 1min 27.798sec in Q3 to narrowly beat a revived Max Verstappen by just over a tenth of a second. The Italian's performance reaffirmed Mercedes' front-running pace after a weekend in which rivals appeared to have closed the gap. Verstappen, who had struggled with his car's handling all season, expressed genuine satisfaction with Red Bull's upgrades, stating that he no longer felt like "a passenger" in the car.

Thunderstorms Force Schedule Change

After qualifying, the FIA, Formula 1, and the Miami promoter issued a joint statement announcing that Sunday's race would start at 1pm local time instead of the scheduled 4pm. The decision was driven by forecasts of heavy thunderstorms in the afternoon. The earlier start, corresponding to 6pm BST, aims to avoid the worst of the weather and ensure the race can be run without interruption.

Mercedes' Rivals Close In

Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren all brought major upgrades to Miami, raising expectations that they had at least caught Mercedes, who did not introduce substantial developments and plan to do so only at the next round in Canada. George Russell described the advances made by rivals as "daunting," while team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged after the sprint that Mercedes had made little ground in Miami but stressed that a fierce development fight lies ahead. Antonelli noted that the team did not expect Verstappen to be so competitive, given Red Bull's upgrades.

Qualifying Battle Unfolds

The top contenders were closely matched in the final runs of Q3. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris set early benchmark times, with Norris posting a 1min 28.183sec lap. Verstappen and Charles Leclerc then surpassed them before Antonelli produced a huge final sector to put three-tenths on Leclerc. On the final hot laps, Antonelli did not improve, but only Verstappen managed to close the gap, securing second place by just over a tenth and a half. George Russell, four-tenths back, finished fifth, raising concerns about his ability to match his teenage teammate, who has won two of the past three races.

Championship Implications

Antonelli now leads the world championship by seven points over Russell, extending his advantage as Mercedes continues to dominate qualifying. Verstappen's strong showing suggests Red Bull may be closing the performance gap, while McLaren and Ferrari remain within three-tenths of the pace. The earlier race start could add an element of unpredictability, as teams adjust their strategies for the altered conditions.

Outlook for the Race

With thunderstorms forecast for the afternoon, the early start may provide a dry window for the race, but the threat of rain later could still play a role. Antonelli will aim to convert his pole into a third victory, while Verstappen, buoyed by his best qualifying of the season, will seek to challenge. The development battle among the top teams is expected to intensify as the season progresses, with Canada serving as the next major upgrade point for Mercedes.

The bottom line

• Kimi Antonelli claimed his third straight pole, reaffirming Mercedes' qualifying dominance.
• Max Verstappen's second place marked his best qualifying of the season, indicating Red Bull's upgrades are working.
• Race start moved to 1pm local time to avoid forecast heavy thunderstorms.
• Mercedes' rivals — Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren — brought major upgrades but still trail in single-lap pace.
• Antonelli leads the championship by seven points over teammate George Russell.
• The development race will be crucial, with Mercedes planning substantial upgrades for Canada.