Lando Norris took pole position for the Miami GP sprint race on Friday, ending Mercedes' dominance in qualifying sessions this season. The reigning champion will start Saturday's 19-lap dash from the front after beating championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 0.222 seconds.
Qualifying Results
Norris led a McLaren resurgence, with Oscar Piastri lining up third in the second McLaren ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in fourth. Mercedes' George Russell struggled for pace and will start sixth, behind Max Verstappen in fifth.
Mercedes had won every grand prix and claimed one-two finishes in all full and sprint qualifying sessions this season. However, after a five-week break since Antonelli's victory in Japan on March 29, their grip on the streets around Hard Rock Stadium was broken.
Leclerc appeared to have the edge throughout qualifying, but Norris delivered a strong final soft-tyre run. Antonelli's impressive lap was not enough to topple him.
Upgrades and Championship Battle
Teams across the grid brought extensive upgrades to Miami, with Ferrari and McLaren hoping to close the gap to Mercedes, who made only minor tweaks. Norris trails Antonelli by 47 points in the championship after missing the Chinese Grand Prix due to a mechanical failure.
Norris, who secured his first Grand Prix victory in Miami in 2024, expressed delight at being back at the front. "Perfect way for me to start the weekend," he said. "I've always loved Miami, it's a good result for us. Long way to go but nice to tick it off by doing this."
Four-time champion Verstappen, who had not qualified higher than eighth this season, looked happier with his upgraded Red Bull car. Lewis Hamilton could only manage seventh for Ferrari.
Weather Concerns
There are weather concerns around Sunday's 57-lap race, with forecasts of heavy rain and thunderstorms. The FIA is considering options, including changes to the start time, in line with Miami state law regarding lightning near sporting events.
