Championship leader Kimi Antonelli bounced back from a troubled sprint by storming to pole position for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix.
The 19-year-old continued Mercedes’ lock out of full qualifying poles so far this season — with Lando Norris’ sprint pole on Friday the only time its grip has been broken.
It had appeared Mercedes’ dominance of the season was under threat as its rivals’ new packages slashed its advantage, with Norris converting that pole into sprint victory, but the 19-year-old Antonelli underlined his title credentials by claiming a third successive pole.
Max Verstappen burst into life amid a difficult start to the season to claim second, 0.166 seconds adrift, with Charles Leclerc third for Ferrari ahead of Norris in fourth.
Antonelli has won the last two races to sit top of the standings ahead of teammate and leading title rival Russell, and again had the edge on his experienced teammate in the searing heat on the streets around Hard Rock Stadium.
Russell will start fifth having been almost fourth tenths off Antonelli’s pace, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Oscar Piastri.
– Miami Grand Prix: Max Verstappen happy in ‘more together’ Red Bull
– Miami Grand Prix: Lando Norris praises upgraded McLaren with ‘perfect result’
– F1’s Miami Grand Prix schedule in doubt amid thunderstorm threat
