Kimi Antonelli secured his third consecutive pole position at the Miami Grand Prix, extending an extraordinary start to his Formula 1 career. Driving for Mercedes, Antonelli posted a best Q3 lap of 1:27.798 to beat Max Verstappen by 0.166 seconds and was quickest through every phase of qualifying. He sealed pole without a second Q3 attempt after locking up into Turn 1 on his final outing.

The rest of the front rows reflected fine margins and recent mid-season development gains. Verstappen qualified second with a 1:27.964, Charles Leclerc was third on 1:28.143, and Sprint winner Lando Norris qualified fourth on 1:28.183. George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate, took fifth with a 1:28.197, Lewis Hamilton was sixth on 1:28.319 and Oscar Piastri seventh on 1:28.500. The result left Antonelli leading the drivers’ championship by seven points over Russell.

The Miami weekend featured upgrades from McLaren, Ferrari and others that shifted the pecking order as changing temperatures and windy conditions affected runs. Technical dramas interrupted sessions, with Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto suffering a power-unit issue and later a left-rear brake fire after being disqualified from the Sprint for an incorrect engine air intake. With three straight poles to start his career, Antonelli joined Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna in matching that feat at their first three races.