Mercedes teenage rookie Kimi Antoneri claimed the shocking yet stunning Maiden Paul position in Formula 1 of the Miami Grand Prix Sprint.
The 18-year-old is replacing Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton this year, competing in the sixth Grand Prix Weekend after seven-time champions moved to Ferrari.
Antoneri, who debuted on a Miami Street track he had never driven before Friday, opened a fantastic single lap in the decisive SQ3 phase of qualifying, defeating world championship leader Oscar Piastri in 0.045 seconds to head of the 5pm sprint grid on Saturday.
The Italian is the youngest driver to claim pole positions in any of the eligible formats for Formula 1, breaking the record held by Sebastian Vettel for over two years since 2008.
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Kimi Antoneri becomes the youngest pole sitter in F1 history by taking Sprint poles at the Miami Grand Prix.
“An incredible. What a effort from such a young driver,” said SkySports F1’s Martin Brandle.
“He has no experience with Miami other than the simulator and went outside and beat the rap. That’s a standout effort.”
Although he was beaten by pole in the 19-lap race, Piastri was still ahead of McLaren’s teammate Randnoris. Max Burstappen came in fourth in Red Bull, returning to the track after the birth of his first child, daughter Lily.
However, George Russell was disappointed with the second Mercedes, who only managed the fifth.
Russell qualified and finished ahead of his new young teammate in all his previous competitive sessions up to Friday this season, but this time he became Antonelli’s 0.309 seconds Adrift after his early-running strategy on the tracks in SQ3 didn’t pay dividends.
Miami GP Sprint Qualifiers: Top 10
1) Kimi Antoneri, Mercedes
2) Oscar Piastri, McLaren
3) Rand Norris, McLaren
4) Maximum Verstappen, Red Bull
5) George Russell, Mercedes
6) Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
7) Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
8) Alex Albon, Williams
9) Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls
10) Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin
Ferrari pairs Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were sixth and seventh respectively, but the latter were slightly closer to their teammates than their recent event, just 0.2 seconds ago.
Hamilton won his first sprint pole in China six weeks ago, but struggled with the SF-25 to win that short race.
Alex Albon concluded Williams’ competition day on the 8th, but Carlos Sainz was dropped in SQ2 in the second car after a wide run on 11 turns. IsackHadjar was ninth in the Race Bulls, where Fernando Alonso returned to Aston Martin’s top 10 on the 10th.
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Jacques Doohan ranted on his alpine team after being released at the same time as Pierre Guthrie, and sacrificed his final run in Sprint Q1 at the Miami Grand Prix.
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Sky Sports F1 Miami GP Schedule
Saturday, May 3rd
3.20pm: F1 Academy Qualifying4pm: Miami GP Sprint (Race starts at 5pm) 6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook7.50pm: F1 Academy Race 18.35pm: Miami GP Qualifying*9pm: Miami GP Qualifying*11pm
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments that took place around the Miami International Autodrome.
Sunday, May 4th
6pm: F1 Academy Race 27.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Miami GP Build-Up*9pm: Miami Grand Prix*11pm: Checkered Flag: Miami GP Reaction*Midnight: Ted Notebook
* Live at Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 will be in Miami on Sprint weekend. Everything should be live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports Now – No Contract, Cancel Anytime
