Andrea Kimi Antonelli takes pole position for the sprint race in Miami ahead of the McLaren duo. The 18-year-old Italian in a Mercedes thus becomes the youngest driver in Formula 1 to achieve this.
02.05.2025, 23:52
03.05.2025, 07:29
SDA
After the pole premiere of Ferrari newcomer Lewis Hamilton in Shanghai, the second sprint qualifying session of this season also ended with a surprise: Andrea Kimi Antonelli will go down in history as the youngest driver to tackle a Formula 1 race from the very front of the grid.
The 18-year-old Italian, who is contesting his first season in Formula 1 in a Mercedes, sensationally left the favored McLaren behind him and replaced Sebastian Vettel as the record holder, who was 21 years old when he took his first pole position in Monza in 2008. However, the four-time world champion was competing in a regular Grand Prix at the time, while Antonelli was "only" competing in a sprint.
The prodigy from Italy relegated Oscar Piastri to second place by 45 thousandths in the decisive part of the time chase for the best grid positions in Miami. Behind the world championship leader from Australia was his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris, one tenth behind. The Englishman celebrated his first career GP victory in Miami in the pre-season.
Papa Verstappen in 4th place
Max Verstappen in the Red Bull finished his first qualifying session as a father in fourth place. The Dutchman had traveled to Florida at short notice after the birth of his daughter Lily. Behind the world champion of the last four years, George Russell in the second Mercedes and Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari will line up on the grid for the race over the shortened distance of 19 laps.
Nico Hülkenberg in the Sauber car surprised everyone with 11th place on the grid, fueling hopes that the Hinwil-based racing team could achieve a tangible result in a sprint race for the first time in over three years, i.e. a place in the top eight. Hülkenberg's team-mate Gabriel Bortoleto retired in the first part of qualifying. The young Brazilian will only start from 19th on the grid at 18:00 Swiss time on Saturday.
