Dutchman takes a stellar pole
While McLaren might have been on top in the Sprint earlier in the day, once the conditions dried up for the reigning world champion, he was unstoppable as Max Verstappen took pole at the Miami Grand Prix 2025, putting Red Bull on top for the main race. Lando Norris, the Sprint winner finished second ahead of the impressive Kimi Antonelli, who once again had a solid qualifying session.
Here’s a quick recap of the Miami Grand Prix 2025 qualifying session.
Q1 – Aston Martin continue to struggle, Hamilton gets through at last
Williams’ Alex Albon’s 1:27.83s set the benchmark before Max Verstappen went to the top of the table, going two tenths up. It was Oscar Piastri though, who went three-tenths quicker, while his teammate, Lando Norris could only manage a P3 in his first run. George Russell, Kimi Antonelli, Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar did exploratory laps which meant they didn’t put up a lap time in their first runs as they were getting a feel of their tyres.
Williams’ Carlos Sainz stunned everyone as he took P1 from Piastri before Verstappen went fastest again with a 1:26.87s. With five minutes to go, Lewis Hamilton was lingering at P15 while Fernando Alonso and Pierre Gasly were struggling in the drop zone. Hamilton managed to get into the top 10 but it was Nico Hülkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll and Ollie Bearman failing to get into Q2.
Drivers eliminated in Q1
Nico Hülkenberg
Fernando Alonso
Pierre Gasly
Lance Stroll
Ollie Bearman
Q2 – Hamilton’s struggles continue while no one can touch Piastri
Piastri’s 1:26.26s set the benchmark for Q2 with Norris once again unable to match his teammate, being two-tenths down. Verstappen’s first run could only manage him a P4 while Ferrari were once again off the pace at P7 and P8. While no one could go as quick as Piastri’s first run it was the Ferrari of Hamilton who was struggling with pace and as the chequered flag fell in Q2, both the VCARB of Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar along with Jack Doohan, Gabriel Bortoleto and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton missed out with Hamilton being the big upset exit in Q2.
Hamilton, who showcased stunning pace in the Sprint earlier in the day, struggled in both qualifying sessions.
Drivers eliminated in Q2
Isack Hadjar
Lewis Hamilton
Gabriel Bortoleto
Jack Doohan
Liam Lawson
Q3 – McLarens unable to match Verstappen
Max Verstappen’s 1:26.49s set the benchmark for the rest of the grid in the final qualifying session and Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris were both unable to match the Dutchman with Norris going 0.003s slower while Piastri was 0.017s behind his teammate. Kimi Antonelli was the quickest Mercedes being two-tenths behind Verstappen while Russell was the slower Silver Arrows as they were unable to catch the Red Bull or McLarens.
As the drivers came out for their final laps, it was Verstappen who seemed like a man on a mission, putting in purple sector after the other as he went even quick to go 1:26.20s and take provisional pole with Norris falling 0.065s while Antonelli put in a strong final lap to go third, just 0.002s behind Norris. Verstappen’s pole lap was also the new track record at Miami.
Starting Grid for the Miami Grand Prix 2025 (before any penalties)
1. Max Verstappen
2. Lando Norris
3. Kimi Antonelli
4. Oscar Piastri
5. George Russell
6. Carlos Sainz
7. Alex Albon
8. Charles Leclerc
9. Esteban Ocon
10 Yuki Tsunoda
11. Isack Hadjar
12. Lewis Hamilton
13. Gabriel Bortoleto
14. Jack Doohan
15. Liam Lawson
16. Nico Hülkenberg
17. Fernando Alonso
18. Pierre Gasly
19. Lance Stroll
20. Ollie Bearman
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