Andrea Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest driver to start an F1 race from first as he goes fastest in Sprint Qualifying in Miami.
SQ1
The shorter length of sprint qualifying means that the timing of laps becomes even more critical. As a result, the final runs in SQ1 saw a large queue of drivers in the pit lane looking to be the last to start their lap, and therefore benefit the most from track evolution.
However, some of those at the back would fail to improve on their time, and would ultimately be knocked out of sprint qualifying as a result.
One such driver was Yuki Tsunoda, who only missed out by a handful of seconds, but had been somewhat impeded by teammate Max Verstappen on his outlap.
Another driver who was sent out on track too late by his team is Jack Doohan, who had expressed his displeasure of the situation over the team radio.
ELIMINATED
16. Lance Stroll – Aston Martin +0.114
17. Jack Doohan – Alpine +0.257
18. Yuki Tsunoda – Red Bull +0.332
19. Gabriel Bortoleto – Kick Sauber +0.398
20. Ollie Bearman – Haas +0.911
SQ2
The Williams drivers had looked particularly competitive in the early parts of sprint qualifying, and while Alex Albon was able to convert that into an appearance in SQ3, Carlos Sainz was unfortunately unable to do so, suffering a massive lockup at turn 11.
Lewis Hamilton looked in danger of being eliminated at SQ2, having not set a great first lap. However, he was able to cook his tyres by going through the pit lane and going again, with the seven time world champion’s seconds flying lap giving him a good enough time to make it through to the final part of sprint qualifying.
ELIMINATED
11. Nico Hulkenberg – Kick Sauber +0.077
12. Esteban Ocon – Haas +0.297
13. Pierre Gasly – Alpine +0.394
14. Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls +0.602
15. Carlos Sainz – Williams NO TIME
SQ3
The final sprint qualifying session typically only offers enough time for drivers to realistically set one flying lap, meaning that timing is once again incredibly crucial.
Only Verstappen and Russell opted to set their laps early on in the session, with Russell managing to pip the reigning world champion to provisional pole by two tenths.
However, the track would ramp up in grip levels, allowing those who were patient to potentially gain more time, if they had the pace in the car.
Verstappen would actually manage to set a second lap time which would snatch provisional pole from Russell despite using the same set of soft tyres, though this lead would not last long.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli would find another two and a half tenths over Verstappen to climb to top spot, with nobody else able to beat the 18 year old’s lap time.
Both the McLarens would be able to take second and third place from this session, pushing Verstappen down to fourth and Russell fifth.
Sprint Qualifying results
1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes 1:26.482
2. Oscar Piastri – McLaren +0.045
3.Lando Norris – McLaren +0.100
4.Max Verstappen – Red Bull +0.255
5. George Russell – Mercedes +0.309
6. Charles Leclerc – Ferrari +0.326
7. Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari +0.548
8. Alex Albon – Williams +0.711
9. Isack Hadjar – Racing Bulls +1.061
10. Fernando Alonso – Aston Martin +1.308
