After the spring break, Formula 1 traveled to Florida for the Miami GP. The first American Grand Prix weekend of the season is already in full swing. The sprint race earlier on Saturday was won by Lando Norris, closely followed by teammate Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc. However, it was Andrea Kimi Antonelli who dominated during qualifying. Max Verstappen stole the show: the Dutchman made a phenomenal return to the front row.

Relive the qualifying for the Miami GP below:

Q1: Verstappen opens proceedings, Antonelli fastest time

Shortly after the light at the end of the pit lane turns green, most of the drivers are already on the circuit. Alexander Albon’s first fast lap quickly comes to an end; the Williams driver immediately goes off track. Max Verstappen opens with a 1:29.099 and is temporarily faster than Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Lando Norris, and Charles Leclerc.

Oscar Piastri makes a first attack on Verstappen’s time during his second fast lap but cannot get close – just like George Russell. However, Kimi Antonelli can, diving more than four tenths under the Dutchman’s time. It got busy on the track in the last minute of Q1, but that did not stop Leclerc from slipping his SF-26 between the Mercedes driver and Verstappen. Lando Norris and Isack Hadjar complete the top five.

Piastri just makes it to the second part of qualifying. For Gabriel Bortoleto, after his disqualification from the sprint earlier today, his disastrous Saturday is complete. The rear of the Brazilian’s Audi catches fire, following teammate Nico Hülkenberg earlier. The driver remains unharmed, but the start of Q2 is delayed.

Eliminated Q1: Lindblad, Alonso, Stroll, Bottas, Pérez, Bortoleto.

Q2: Verstappen sets the tone, Norris stuck in P7

Verstappen was the first driver on track during the second part of qualifying, with new tires fitted under his RB22. Both Ferraris quickly went under the Dutchman’s first time in Q2, who was not satisfied with his fast lap. Kimi Antonelli and Russell were also immediately faster, while Norris had to abort his lap. The Brit then drove his fast lap as the only driver on track, good enough for a provisional ninth place.

As soon as the McLaren driver returned to the pit lane, the other drivers started to trickle back onto the circuit. Kimi Antonelli improved his own fast time to 1:28.289, while teammate Russell remained stuck in third place. Verstappen then dived more than a tenth under the young Italian’s time. Leclerc completes the provisional top three. Norris can improve his time but remains stuck in P7.

Eliminated Q2: Hülkenberg, Lawson, Bearman, Sainz, Ocon, Albon

Q3: Kimi Antonelli takes next pole position, Verstappen impressively second

After a somewhat disappointing Q2 for the McLaren drivers, both Piastri and Norris decided to go out early for the final part of qualifying. The Australian set the first fast time, a 1:28.6, but was soon pushed off provisional pole position by his teammate. Verstappen and Leclerc then also went under the McLaren drivers’ times. However, it was Kimi Antonelli who was the first to break into the 1:27s, making the first serious bid for pole position.

With three minutes left on the clock, the drivers started their second fast lap, the last chance to secure the coveted pole position for the Miami GP. Verstappen stayed in the garage until the last moment but also went out on track with two minutes to go. Of the top teams, Russell, Piastri, Norris, and Leclerc could not improve. Verstappen could, but still fell short of keeping Kimi Antonelli off pole position. The Dutchman will start the Miami GP from the front row, alongside the Mercedes driver.