Once again, it is not a McLaren that will start in pole position of the Sprint race, this Saturday in Miami. This time, the spoilsport is called Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The Mercedes driver beat the two British single -seaters during the Sprint qualifications on Friday on the Floridian route. For less than a tenth of a second, the Italian has foiled the two protagonists of the championship, who logically left for this qualification session for the sprint.
On the side of Oscar Piastri, it was an error in the last sector that cost him dearly in his only attempt in SQ3. “I’m pretty happy. It was not the best tour in history, I had a blockage at the last turn. This is probably where the pole flew away but 2nd place remains a good result ”, explained the championship leader after the Sprint qualifications on Friday. The Australian, who will start on the front line, remains confident to win during the sprint. “We could fight since this position during the sprint. Overall, I’m pretty happy. (…) I hope we have a little performance to unlock. I am optimistic and I will try to win a position during the sprint before we focus on what reports big points. »»
Norris regains confidence for the continuation of the weekend
McLaren drivers effectively hope to rely on the intrinsic qualities of MCL39, in particular on tire management, to win the sprint where, let us remember, stops at the stands are not compulsory and generally not planned. Even Lando Norris, who has been more in difficulty with the British single -seater since the start of the season, displays a certain optimism before this Saturday race. The Englishman was satisfied with his performance in Sprint qualifications and aims for a result which would allow him to regain confidence.
“The qualifications were very tight. I felt good. I’m happy to have done a good trick. It was tight, so I couldn’t ask for much more, said Lando Norris, who won his first Grand Prix here in Miami. I have a lot of good memories here, but at the moment, it doesn’t matter, it’s a past. I focus on this weekend and today’s performance, which I think I am in the right average. It is obviously not good enough, but it shows how tight, it shows how fast the Mercedes are because we are both behind [Antonelli]. There is a little work to do for the sprint, but we are close enough for us to aim for pole position [en qualifications]. » In China, Lewis Hamilton had managed to contain the McLaren to win during the sprint. Will Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris have their revenge in Miami?
Read also> Kimi Antonelli, Poleman surprised in Miami: “My last lap was great! »»
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