Antonelli claims third straight pole as Miami GP start moved forward due to storms

Key facts

• Kimi Antonelli took pole with a lap of 1m 27.798s, his third consecutive pole.
• Max Verstappen qualified second, 0.15s behind, for his best qualifying of the season.
• Charles Leclerc qualified third, Lando Norris fourth, George Russell fifth.
• The Miami GP start was moved from 4pm to 1pm local time due to forecast heavy rainstorms.
• Antonelli leads the championship by seven points over teammate George Russell.
• Antonelli is the youngest title race leader in F1 history.

Pole position secured under changing skies

Kimi Antonelli delivered a masterful lap of 1 minute 27.798 seconds at the Miami International Autodrome on Saturday, securing his third consecutive pole position for the Miami Grand Prix. The 19-year-old Italian resisted a late charge from four-time champion Max Verstappen, who fell just over a tenth short, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who took third. The session ended with a joint announcement from the FIA, Formula 1, and local promoters: Sunday’s race start would be moved forward by three hours to 1pm local time (1700 GMT) due to a forecast of heavy thunderstorms later in the afternoon. The decision, they said, was taken to minimize disruption and prioritize safety for drivers, fans, teams, and staff.

A qualifying session of tight margins and high drama

Qualifying began under sunny conditions but with a tricky tailwind that some drivers reported. Max Verstappen set an early benchmark of 1m 29.099s, but Lando Norris – winner of the earlier sprint race – was close behind. As the session progressed, Antonelli consistently topped the times, and though he could not improve on his final lap in Q3, his earlier effort proved unbeatable. Verstappen pushed hard on his last run, enjoying the handling of his upgraded Red Bull for the first time this season. “So many things were not working up until this weekend,” he said. “For me in the car itself a few things have changed and it made it a lot more comfortable to drive. I feel a lot more confident and I don’t feel like I’m a passenger any more in the car.” Despite his improvement, he lost out to Antonelli by just over a tenth.

Mercedes holds its nerve as rivals bring upgrades

The qualifying result reasserted Mercedes’ pace at the front, even as Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren all brought major upgrades to Miami. George Russell, Antonelli’s teammate, could only manage fifth, four-tenths off the pole time. Earlier, Russell had described the advances by rivals as “daunting,” and team principal Toto Wolff conceded after the sprint that Mercedes had made little ground in Miami. Antonelli acknowledged the competitive landscape: “It’s not really a surprise about other teams catching up, it’s just the first year of this new regulation. It’s also going to be a development fight between teams. Whoever is going to be able to bring more upgrades and more potent ones is going to make the difference. But definitely to see Max here, we did not expect it as a team but obviously, they brought big upgrades.”

A record for the ages and a weather-driven schedule change

Antonelli’s third straight pole draws him alongside former champions Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher in the record books. He is also the youngest driver to lead the world championship, holding a seven-point advantage over Russell. The race’s rescheduling came after a five-week hiatus enforced by the conflict in the Middle East, which several teams used to develop upgrade packages. The FIA, F1, and the Miami promoter issued a joint statement saying the change was made “due to the weather forecast that is expected to bring heavier rainstorms later in the afternoon close to the original planned race start time.” The new start time ensures the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions.

What lies ahead: a development fight and a championship on the line

With Mercedes not planning substantial developments until the next round in Canada, the team’s ability to maintain its edge will be tested. Antonelli, however, has won two of the past three races and shown composure under pressure. “It has been an amazing day for me to be on pole again,” he said. “I was so stressed because I was waiting for everyone to finish their laps, but it was good enough and now, hopefully, I will have a magic start tomorrow.” Verstappen’s resurgence, combined with the upgrades from Ferrari and McLaren, sets up a potentially chaotic race in Miami. The earlier start time may also affect tire strategies and track evolution. The championship battle, already tight, is poised to intensify.

The bottom line

• Kimi Antonelli secured his third consecutive pole, matching Senna and Schumacher's feat.
• The Miami Grand Prix start was moved from 4pm to 1pm local time due to forecast thunderstorms.
• Antonelli leads the championship by seven points over teammate George Russell.
• Verstappen enjoyed his best qualifying of the season, finishing second with a car he called 'more comfortable.'
• Mercedes faces a fierce development fight as rivals bring major upgrades to Miami.
• The race will be the first after a five-week hiatus caused by the Middle East conflict.