In a landmark moment for Formula 1, 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli seized pole position in the sprint qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver ever to do so in the sport’s top tier. On a weekend where the familiar heat of Florida was matched by a sizzling qualifying session, Antonelli delivered a composed and commanding performance that may well mark the beginning of a new F1 chapter.
The Mercedes rookie edged out championship leader Oscar Piastri by just 0.045 seconds, with Lando Norris a mere 0.01 seconds further adrift. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was also in the mix, narrowly behind the McLarens, but Antonelli’s crisp and confident drive put him firmly at the top of the time sheets—outpacing even his seasoned team-mate George Russell for the first time this season.
Antonelli’s success didn’t come out of nowhere, but the sheer polish of his performance was unexpected. So far this season, the Italian has kept his head down, avoiding drama and focusing on race finishes over risks. But at the Miami International Autodrome, nestled around the Hard Rock Stadium, Antonelli showcased his talent in full. From the first lap of practice, he looked assured—mature beyond his years, and supremely comfortable in the car.
This pole not only cements his status as a rising star, but also provides a golden opportunity to convert a front-row start into his first sprint victory. Starting in clean air is a distinct advantage in F1, and the youngster will be eager to capitalise on it.
Behind him, Piastri reflected on what might have been, a small error at the final corner likely denying him top spot. Norris, who has shown flashes of brilliance but has lacked consistency, will be encouraged by a solid showing after his earlier mishaps this season.
Red Bull’s Verstappen, meanwhile, found himself battling understeer and a lack of low-speed grip despite the introduction of a new floor this weekend. Having arrived in Miami following the birth of his first child, the Dutchman struggled to find balance in the car, particularly in the slower sections. Though fourth on the grid is respectable, he admitted the team still has work to do to unlock its full potential.
George Russell, who ended up fifth, was one of only two drivers alongside Verstappen to attempt two runs in the final session, using a high-risk strategy that offered a ‘banker’ lap followed by an all-out attack. It backfired. While Verstappen managed a slight improvement, Russell could not better his first attempt.
Further back, Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton took sixth and seventh, the latter showing improvement after a rough patch in recent races but still not looking entirely comfortable. Both Scuderia drivers expressed frustration over their lack of pace, with Hamilton noting persistent issues despite incremental progress.
Aston Martin had reason to celebrate with Fernando Alonso sneaking into the top ten—only the second time this season the team has managed such a result. Williams’ Alex Albon also delivered a strong showing, underlining his reputation as a driver capable of extracting maximum performance from limited machinery.
Carlos Sainz’s hopes of a top-ten start were dashed by a costly error on his final flying lap, leaving him 15th, while Yuki Tsunoda’s sprint ambitions were scuppered by traffic during his warm-up lap, forcing him to settle for 18th.
As the floodlights prepare to illuminate the Miami tarmac on Sunday night, all eyes will be on Kimi Antonelli. His calm execution in qualifying has set the stage for what could be a spectacular coming-of-age performance. For Mercedes, it’s a glimpse into a post-Hamilton future—and if this is the beginning, the future looks very bright indeed.
