Qualifying Times in Full
Here are the complete qualifying times for the Miami Grand Prix sprint race:
SQ3
1 Lando Norris (GB) McLaren 1:27.869sec
2 Kimi Antonelli (It) Mercedes 1:28.091
3 Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren 1:28.108
4 Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 1:28.239
5 Max Verstappen (Neth) Red Bull 1:28.461
6 George Russell (GB) Mercedes 1:28.493
7 Lewis Hamilton (GB) Ferrari 1:28.618
8 Franco Colapinto (Arg) Alpine 1:29.320
9 Isack Hadjar (Fr) Red Bull 1:29.422
10 Pierre Gasly (Fr) Alpine 1:29.474
SQ2
11 Gabriel Bortoleto (Br) Audi 1:29.994
12 Nico Hülkenberg (Ger) Audi 1:30.019
13 Oliver Bearman (GB) Haas F1 1:30.116
14 Carlos Sainz Jr (Sp) Williams 1:30.224
*15 Arvid Lindblad (GB) Racing Bulls 1:30.573
SQ1
16 Liam Lawson (NZ) Racing Bulls 1:31.043
17 Esteban Ocon (Fr) Haas F1 1:31.245
18 Sergio Pérez (Mex) Cadillac 1:31.255
19 Alex Albon (Tha) Williams 1:32.322
20 Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Cadillac 1:31.826
21 Fernando Alonso (Sp) Aston Martin 1:41.311
22 Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin
There were fewer drivers in SQ2 and SQ1 than usual. Alex Albon was initially credited with 14th place and allowed into SQ2 but was found by Racing Bulls to have breached track limits. Liam Lawson attempted to return to his Racing Bulls car but was too late to advance; as a result, Albon was demoted from 14th to 19th.
"*Arvid Lindblad, meanwhile, starts from the pitlane because of a breach of the parc fermé regulations"
Welcome back. Much has changed since your last update, and we may be on the verge of the first significant confirmation.
After the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix due to geopolitical tensions involving Donald Trump and Iran, the unexpected gap in the F1 season provided an opportunity for other teams to close the gap on Mercedes, who had dominated the season's start. Mercedes had won all three full races in Australia, China, and Japan, as well as the sprint race in China, and secured the front row in all four qualifying sessions. George Russell had victories in Melbourne and the Shanghai sprint, but misfortune in qualifying for the main Chinese race and a safety car incident at Suzuka allowed Kimi Antonelli to claim wins and take a nine-point lead in the drivers’ championship.
Five weeks after the season paused at Suzuka, today's Miami sprint race begins with Lando Norris on pole for McLaren. Kimi Antonelli is second after a last-minute surge, while George Russell is down in sixth. Oscar Piastri qualified third in the second McLaren, with Charles Leclerc fourth for Ferrari and Max Verstappen fifth for Red Bull, marking four different manufacturers in the top five. Lewis Hamilton completes the top seven in the second Ferrari.
The numerous upgrades introduced in Florida appear to have had an impact, not only on the cars but also on race dynamics. Oscar Bearman’s high-speed crash while avoiding the decelerating Franco Colapinto highlighted concerns related to the hybrid engine regulations, specifically the harvesting and utilization of electrical energy. This incident prompted discussions between the teams and the FIA regarding the 2026 regulations, with further details to follow.
It is important to note that qualifying sessions are distinct from racing, and sprint races do not carry the full weight of a grand prix. For example, Hamilton won the Chinese sprint last year, but his only other podium in his first season at Ferrari was third place in Miami’s sprint race. Nevertheless, this event signals a fresh start.
The sprint race commenced at noon local Miami time, corresponding to 5pm BST and 2am in Oscar Piastri’s native Melbourne time zone. Four hours later, qualifying for Sunday’s main event will take place.
