Verstappen in pole ahead of Norris in Miami

The weekend started very well in Miami. After Kimi Antonelli’s first surprise position during Sprint qualifications, Lando Norris won in a sprint race full of twists and turns. Under a good star, the McLaren driver took advantage of the only safety car to take control and lead a double McLaren, ahead of Lewis Hamilton.

Now, make way for qualifications which will undoubtedly be the most important session of the weekend. After their double in sprint, the McLaren act as favorites and like every weekend, it will also be necessary to count on Max Verstappen. Also let’s forget the Mercedes, which have been efficient since the start of the weekend.

Q1 – Verstappen the fastest, Hamilton and Tsunoda were hot

For the start of these qualifications, the conditions returned to normal with a very dry track reaching 45 ° C. The sky is covered but the sun is present, the thermometer displaying 29 ° C in the air. The Stake Sauber are the first ones on track, many pilots are equipped with already tied tires. Gabriel Bortoleto signs the first time in 1’28”674, beaten directly by his teammate Nico Hülkenberg, then Jack Doohan and Fernando Alonso in 1’28”058.

Alex Albon improves the time of the Aston Martin pilot with two tenths, before being beaten by Max Verstappen then Oscar Piastri, author of the best time in 1’27”307. Lando Norris fails in third place.

While the last ten minutes of this Q1, the Racing Bulls and the Mercedes have still not been attacking a quick turn. The first to do so is Isack Hadjar, who dates back to second place. The passage to new gum is felt. Carlos Sainz improves but it is Antonelli who has the last word in 1’27”077.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo de: Red Bull Content Pool

Five minutes from the end of the session, Max Verstappen is offered a very beautiful aspiration from Hülkenberg, which allows him to take first place in 1’26”870. As for provisional eliminated, Esteban Ocon, Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll and Oliver Bearman are in danger.

While Charles Leclerc only dates back to ninth row, Pierre Gasly only signs the 15th time and is repelled in the red zone by Fernando Alonso. At the same time, Yuki Tsunoda and Lewis Hamilton, also in danger, date back respectively to the ninth and eighth positions. It is therefore the two Aston Martin, Hülkenberg, Gasly and Bearman who find themselves eliminated.

Eliminated in Q1: Hülkenberg, Alonso, Gasly, Stroll, Bearman

Q2 – Ocon Grande Ganner, Hamilton Grand Loser

Max Verstappen is the first on track in this Q2, followed by his teammate. The Dutchman therefore signs the first time in 1’26”643. Charles Leclerc comes to interrogate between the two Red Bulls, before being beaten by Sainz, who signs the second time. Quick on this route, Williams places his two cars in the second and third rows before the arrival of the McLaren.

Oscar Piastri signs the best time in 1’26”269, more than two tenths in front of his teammate Norris. Antonelli comes to take third place, while Russell, with worn tires, only signs the 11th time and finds himself in danger, in the same way as Ocon, Doohan, Lawson and Hadjar.

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Photo of: Zak Mauger / Motorsport Images

While Ocon and Hadjar date back to the ninth and tenth rows, this place Hamilton in the red zone. Only, Russell improves his own brand and dates back to third place, repelling Hadjar first outside the top 10. The big winner of this Q2 is Esteban Ocon which validates his ticket for the Q3 after the failed attempt by Lewis Hamilton who will not go into the last part of the qualifications.

Eliminated in Q2: Hadjar, Hamilton, Bortoleto, Doohan, Lawson

Q3 – Verstappen, king of qualifications

In this final part of the qualifications, Esteban Ocon is the first on track. The French signs a first time in 1’27”407. While Tsunoda fails behind the Haas, Verstappen signs the best time in 1’26”492. Norris failed at three thousandths and Piastri at 17 thousandths of Dutch. Author of a wheel blocking and a straight in turn 17, Leclerc cancels his attempt and returns directly to the stands. Antonelli and Albon complete the top 5, followed by Russell, Sainz, Ocon, Tsunoda then Leclerc.

On a very large attack, Verstappen improves his own brand in 1’26”204 and signs his third pole position of the season. Norris failed at 65 thousandths, while Piastri was pushed back to 171 thousandths, beaten by Antonelli for third place. Russell completes the top 5, in front of Sainz, Albon, Leclerc, Ocon and Tsunoda.