Antonelli Claims Miami Grand ‍Prix Sprint Qualifying Pole

MIAMI (AP) — Andrea ‌Kimi Antonelli secured the pole position in Sprint Qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix on Friday, ⁢marking a important milestone in the young ‍Formula One driver’s career. The ⁤18-year-old Italian clocked a​ fastest lap⁤ of 1 minute, 26.482‌ seconds,‌ edging out McLaren drivers‍ Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who finished⁤ second and third,​ respectively.

“It was⁣ intensive qualifying,” Antonelli said. “I felt ⁤good since this morning.I had a​ good feeling before qualifying.‍ The last round was ⁤crazy. I put‍ everything in. ⁣It was nice⁢ that it worked and I’m really happy about ​this ‍first⁢ pole.”

Despite not setting the⁤ fastest time in any single sector – max Verstappen was quickest in the first,Piastri in the second,and Norris in the⁣ third – Antonelli’s consistency across ⁤the entire‍ lap proved decisive.⁤ Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and racing⁤ engineer Peter Bonnington were visibly pleased with Antonelli’s ‌performance.

“the little one!” Wolff said in an​ interview. “He stood ‌here so big next to me a few years ago and looked with big ‍eyes,⁢ and that was somehow felt yesterday. ‌Unbelievable ‌speed,and he⁣ doesn’t know the route,and that was the ⁢next step now.⁢ That is⁤ only the mini-pole, but you have to take that.”

Russell⁤ Initially Led SQ3

Antonelli’s teammate, ⁣George Russell, initially led in SQ3, being the first out on track. Though, he pitted⁤ before others had the chance to‌ capitalize on optimal track conditions. ⁢Verstappen‌ also set an early time‍ and ‍opted for a second​ run ⁣on the ​same set of tires.

Russell ultimately finished fifth. “I think George wanted to drive out very‌ early in ​the session,” Wolff said. “and I think it already has the advantage that the⁣ route gets‍ a little more grip​ through⁤ the others.⁢ We⁤ have to analyze that now.”

Rounding out the top 10 were Charles⁢ Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton‌ (both Ferrari), Alexander Albon (Williams), Isack ⁢Hadjar (racing‌ Bulls), and Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin).

Tsunoda’s SQ1 Exit

Yuki tsunoda’s sprint qualifying ended⁢ prematurely in SQ1. He reported issues during his first run. “I want to change the helmet ⁣after ⁣this ⁢round. The wind ‌blows like hell,” Tsunoda said⁤ over the radio.He was outside the top 15 at the time.

A second attempt was not possible. Tsunoda left the pit lane relatively⁣ late and was urged to push on‌ his warm-up lap.Ultimately, he was eliminated,⁣ with⁤ a lap ⁣time of 1:29.246,placing him 18th.

Red Bull⁤ consultant Helmut Marko defended Tsunoda,⁣ stating,​ “He⁤ can’t go for ⁤it, ​he came out too late, because the ⁢drivers were slowly facing again. I‍ think it did not work at two ‌or three seconds. The speed ⁣would have​ fit⁢ in and in himself.”

Marko also noted that Red Bull ⁢had introduced a new underbody for Verstappen in‍ Miami,⁣ while Tsunoda continued to use ‌the older version. “Max ⁣had⁣ less understeer compared ⁤to Yuki. ‍Still⁤ understeer, but apparently the tendency is correct,”​ Marko said.

joining ‌Tsunoda in being eliminated in SQ1 ‍were Lance Stroll (Aston ‍Martin), Jack​ Doohan (Alpine, due to brake⁤ problems), Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber), and Oliver Bearman (Haas),‌ who⁤ had ‍previously crashed in free practice.

Antonelli, incidentally,​ set⁢ the fastest time in ‌SQ1.

Sainz Struggles⁤ in SQ2

In SQ2, Nico Hulkenberg‌ narrowly missed out‌ on a top 10 spot by just 0.077 seconds. The German driver finished 11th and was eliminated, along with ⁤Esteban Ocon (Haas),⁣ Pierre Gasly (alpine), Liam ​Lawson (Racing Bulls), ⁤and Carlos ‌Sainz ‍(Williams).

Sainz locked​ up in​ a left-hand turn, ruining his fastest⁤ lap attempt. “Sorry for ⁣that. Was ‍my mistake,” he said. His teammate, Albon, advanced to SQ3 in ninth place but remarked, “I wonder how this Merc should ⁢be legal,” the meaning of which was unclear.

Broadcast⁢ Data

The⁢ Miami Grand ⁢Prix will be ⁣broadcast ​in Austria on ServusTV⁢ and in Switzerland on SRF.