Dutchman Edges Out Norris and Antonelli in Tight Q3 Shootout
Max Verstappen clinched pole position for the F1 2025 Miami GP after a dramatic and tightly contested qualifying session at the Miami International Autodrome. Despite a slight error on his final flying lap, the reigning World Champion delivered a blistering 1m 26.204s lap to edge out McLaren’s Lando Norris and Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli.
Verstappen Delivers Under Pressure
After going quickest in Q3’s opening runs, Verstappen risked losing his advantage following a moment at Turn 1 on his final lap. However, the Red Bull driver recovered impressively, setting purple sectors and ultimately improving on his time to secure his fourth pole of the season.
“I had a bit of a moment at the start of the lap,” Verstappen said. “But we managed to keep it together and get the job done. The car felt great overall.”
Norris and Antonelli Impress in Front Row Fight
McLaren’s Lando Norris narrowly missed out on pole, trailing Verstappen by just 0.06s after admitting to overstepping the kerbs during his final run. “I took a bit too much risk,” Norris admitted. “But I’m happy with the pace.”
Rookie Kimi Antonelli continued to impress, securing third place on the grid, his best result yet in a Grand Prix qualifying session. The Italian, who topped Sprint Qualifying on Friday, has firmly established himself as a rising star in the 2025 season.
Top 10 Shake-Up: McLaren, Mercedes, and Williams Strong in Q3
Behind the top three, Oscar Piastri will line up fourth in the second McLaren, followed by George Russell in fifth for Mercedes. The Williams duo of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon locked out sixth and seventh, a strong showing for the team after recent upgrades.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc rebounded from his Sprint crash to claim eighth, while Haas’ Esteban Ocon impressed with ninth in his first Q3 for the team. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top 10.
Hamilton and Alonso Among Shock Eliminations
One of the biggest surprises was Lewis Hamilton’s elimination in Q2. The Ferrari driver, who had finished third in the Sprint, failed to improve on his lap time and will start 12th. Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso also struggled after his Sprint crash, ending his day in 17th.
Q1 and Q2 Recap: Tight Margins and Rising Talent
The earlier segments of qualifying saw fierce competition. Oscar Piastri topped Q2, while Verstappen led Q1 with the first sub-1m 27s lap of the session. Promising performances came from Kick Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto, Alpine’s Jack Doohan, and Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar, despite their eventual exits in Q2.
F1 2025 Miami GP Qualifying Results:
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – 1:26.2o4
- Lando Norris (McLaren) – 1:26.269
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 1:26.271
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:26.375
- George Russell (Mercedes) – 1:26.385
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 1:26.569
- Alex Albon (Williams) – 1:26.682
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 1:26.754
- Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1:26.824
- Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – 1:26.943
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 1:26.987
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 1:27.006
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Sauber) – 1:27.151
- Jack Doohan (Alpine) – 1:27.186
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 1:27.363
- Nico Hulkenberg (Sauber) – 1:27.473
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 1:27.604
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 1:27.710
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 1:27.830
- Oliver Bearman (Haas) – 1:27.999
Looking Ahead: Eyes on Sunday Showdown
The Miami Grand Prix main race is scheduled for 4:00 PM local time on Sunday. With Verstappen on pole and the front runners separated by tenths, fans can expect a thrilling contest on the streets of Miami.
