Mercedes’ teenage rookie Kimi Antonelli claimed a shock but stunning maiden pole position in Formula 1 for the Miami GP Sprint.
The 18-year-old has replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes this year following the seven-time champion’s move to Ferrari and is competing in just his sixth grand prix weekend.
Debuting on a Miami track he had never driven before Friday, Antonelli uncorked a brilliant single lap in the decisive SQ3 phase of Sprint Qualifying to beat world championship leader Oscar Piastri to the head of Saturday’s 5pm Sprint grid by 0.045s.
The Italian is the youngest-ever driver to claim a pole position for either of F1’s qualifying formats, beating the record held by Sebastian Vettel by more than two years.
Although beaten to pole, Piastri was still ahead of McLaren team-mate Lando Norris, with Max Verstappen fourth for Red Bull on his return to the track after the birth of his first child, daughter Lily.
George Russell was only fifth in the second Mercedes after heading out on the track first in SQ3 but then losing ground to others later on.
Ferrari pair Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were sixth and seventh respectively.
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Jack Doohan rants at his Alpine team after being released at the same time as Pierre Gasly, costing him his final run in Sprint Q1 at the Miami GP.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Miami GP schedule
Saturday May 3
- 3.20pm: F1 Academy Qualifying
- 4pm: MIAMI GP SPRINT (race starts at 5pm)
- 6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
- 7.50pm: F1 Academy Race 1
- 8.35pm: Miami GP Qualifying build-up*
- 9pm: MIAMI GP QUALIFYING*
- 11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place around the Miami International Autodrome.
Sunday May 4
- 6pm: F1 Academy Race 2
- 7.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Miami GP build-up*
- 9pm: The MIAMI GRAND PRIX*
- 11pm: Chequered Flag: Miami GP reaction*
- Midnight: Ted’s Notebook
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Miami for a Sprint weekend, watch it all live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
