MIAMI — There was one big surprise during Friday’s opening activities for the fourth running of the Miami Grand Prix.
Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli claimed the pole for Saturday’s Sprint Race during qualifying on the Miami Int’l Autodrome Circuit.
Antonelli made a late run to edge world champion Max Verstappen, covering the circuit in one minute and 26.482 seconds.
“I’m feeling over the moon. I did not expect it, but I was feeling good in the car,” Antonelli said.
“I was able to improve lap by lap and find that consistency, and that lap came all together. I’m super, super happy with that, and now we will enjoy this moment a little bit more, but as well I want to focus on tomorrow because I really want to try and repeat myself.”
McLaren aces Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris slotted into second and third, respectively.
Verstappen wound up fourth for Red Bull, with Antonelli’s teammate, George Russell, fifth.
Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were sixth and seventh.
