Antonelli confirms it in Miami with pole and Verstappen one tenth away

No one understands or controls this F1. In less than four hours it passed of a McLaren double in the Sprint, to be out of the top three on the grill. Was Kimi Antonelli, with his third consecutive pole from China and with the best position to defend the lead in the F1 World Championship, who is confirming in Miami that it is not a flower of a day, but a clearly rising star. Italy may have a new Sinner knocking on the door, which is no small feat.

The initial return of the 19-year-old bolognese was brutaltaking out of wake Leclerc or Verstappen by more than three tenths. In the second he didn’t improve, but it didn’t matter, because the rest didn’t either, except for a stubborn Max, who was placed in the front row in front of Charles, but Kimi was unattainable for anyone.

And the best thing is that the race threatens rain and perhaps time changeif the storm forecast coincides with 4:00 p.m. local time (10:00 p.m. in Spain), which can leave the test time four hours in advance, that is to say at 8:00 p.m. to have driving margin if you have to stop and resume due to the electrical device that is foreseen. It is not official but it is being considered.

Norris and Piastri collapse

In McLaren decided to change little in the MCL40, after the double in the Sprint and rivals rThey touched on the deployment of energy in each sector, especially Mercedeswhose ability to adapt is prodigious. Red Bull and Ferrari also improved and Norris went to fourth and Piastri to seventh. And it hadn’t been 24 hours since Saturday’s Sprint Qualifying. Uncertainty is guaranteed in this F1 and so are the alternatives, even though there is an atmosphere of permanent criticism. Expect a good show and the pilots enter through the ring. Halfway through the season it will seem like they have never driven another engine in their lives.

Q2: Sainz, on the verge of passing but 14th at the end

Sainz was on the verge of entering the Q2from which he was two tenths away and was then surpassed by Hulk, Bearman and Lawson, all in a tenth. He has taken a step forward, although he will start 14th, a bad place to start as seen in the Sprint. This time he surpassed Albon, by almost four tenths and due to pace he should not be far from the points in tomorrow’s race.

in the head, Verstappen appeared for the first, followed by Antonelli, Leclerc and Piastri. Saturdays are getting more and more interesting and it seems less so on Sundays. Although in each circuit this F1 is a very different story from the previous one.

Q1: Sainz passed as ninth, Alonso 18th

Carlos did a great final lapthe third launched, to pass almost the entire middle zone (except Bearman) and rise to ninth and directly to the next round. Piastri stayed at the doors (16th) of falling, always with old tires, but he was able to pass.

Fernando was ahead of his teammate and the Cadillacswhich indicates that in Aston have improved throughout the weekend, since the Spanish He was less than a second behind Lindblad and 2.5 behind Antonelli, while in Japan he was 3.5 seconds. The step is evident, although it is not enough.

Miami qualifying times, courtesy of formula-timer.com.