Kimi Antonelli Claims Pole Position at 2026 Miami F1 Grand Prix as Verstappen, Leclerc Follow

Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position at the 2026 Miami Formula One Grand Prix after a decisive qualifying session at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, on May 2, 2026.

Antonelli stood alongside Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen, who finished second, and Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc, who secured third place. The trio was photographed on the podium following the session. (Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images)

Sprint Race Disrupted as Antonelli Dominates Main Qualifying

The first two competitive sessions of the weekend saw McLaren’s Lando Norris break Mercedes’ early-season dominance, securing pole for the F1 Sprint race on Friday and leading early in the Sprint on Saturday. However, Antonelli reclaimed the top spot in the main qualifying session.

Antonelli delivered a blistering lap in Q3, outpacing rivals including Verstappen and Leclerc. He will start Sunday’s race from P1 when the lights go out in Miami.

“Yeah, it’s been an amazing day, you know, to be on pole again. It was obviously a difficult start of the day with the Sprint, where it didn’t go our way, but super happy with the recovery. And yeah, it was a good quali. Obviously got a little bit too excited in that last lap of Q3, but the first lap was good enough. I’m very happy with that.”

— Kimi Antonelli, after securing pole position

Verstappen’s Red Bull Upgrades Pay Off with P2 Finish

Verstappen, eliminated in Q2 at the Japanese Grand Prix, attributed his strong P2 result to improved car comfort following recent upgrades from Red Bull.

“Yeah, for me it’s been two things. For sure, the car has not been great in the previous races, but also from my side I never felt comfortable with the layout of the car. And I think over those last few weeks the team has been pushing flat out to try and bring upgrades to the car and making me feel more comfortable with a lot of things in the car, and it really pays off. I mean, I feel more in control of the car again and then I can push a bit more, then the upgrades are working. And yeah, I mean, to be on the front row is way better than I expected heading into this.”

— Max Verstappen, after finishing second in qualifying

Race Start Moved Up Due to Severe Weather Forecast

The start of Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix has been advanced by three hours in anticipation of heavy rain and thunderstorms expected to arrive late in the afternoon.

Provisional Starting Grid for Sunday’s Race

• Row 1: 1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 2. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
• Row 2: 3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 4. Lando Norris (McLaren)
• Row 3: 5. George Russell (Mercedes), 6. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
• Row 4: 7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), 8. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
• Row 5: 9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull), 10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
• Row 6: 11. Nico Hülkenberg (Audi), 12. Liam Lawson (VCARB)
• Row 7: 13. Oliver Bearman (Haas), 14. Carlos Sainz Jr. (Williams)