Starting lineup GP Miami: Max Verstappen smells blood on the front row

Starting lineup GP Miami: Max Verstappen smells blood on the front row

He just does it again. Kimi Antonelli secured his third consecutive pole position on Saturday in Miami. But this time he has Max Verstappen beside him, who for the first time in 2026 makes it to the front row. This promises something here in Florida!

Read more Verstappen judges F1 rule changes: ‘We really still need to get rid of that’

Antonelli delivered an impressive first lap in Q3 of 1:27.798, setting a benchmark that his rivals could not match. Charles Leclerc closed the top three for Ferrari, while Lando Norris, who dominated the sprint race, fell back to P4.

For Verstappen, the second starting position feels like a relief. After a difficult start to the season, the RB22 finally seemed to have the updates in Miami that make the difference. He outpaced Russell and Hamilton, which says more than the result alone. Verstappen built on a strong weekend and put the updated Red Bull on the front row for the first time in 2026.

George Russell, currently second in the championship, qualified disappointingly in fifth, four tenths behind his teammate. Lewis Hamilton finished sixth for Ferrari, with Oscar Piastri in P7. Franco Colapinto drove to an impressive eighth time for the second race in a row. Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly complete the top ten.

Read more Piastri talks about strategies for rain race: ‘We are going to use oars’

At the back, it is now a familiar sight: Aston Martin and Cadillac occupy, as so often this season, the rear of the field. Gabriel Bortoleto carries the red lantern because he could not participate in qualifying due to a technical problem.

Note: the race has been brought forward by three hours due to expected severe thunderstorms and will now start at 19:00 Dutch time.

Read more Disqualification threatens Hadjar after violation of technical rules

Starting lineup GP Miami: Max Verstappen smells blood on the front row
Starting lineup GP Miami: Max Verstappen smells blood on the front row

Read everything about the GP Miami here

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