After the only session of free tests scheduled in Miami, the Formula 1 takes to the track for the Sprint Qualifying. They will determine the starting grid of the Sprint race scheduled for tomorrow at 18:00. The best time of the day is that of the Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli, who after convincing throughout the qualifying, prints an incredible 1.26.482 surprising everyone. Piastri, Norris and Verstappen follow. Leclerc places sixth, ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
In SQ1 at Miami Mercedes in front of everyone, Tsunoda out
All the drivers immediately take to the track with the usual medium tyres for the SQ1. After the first attempt Antonelli surprisingly takes first place, followed by Norris and Verstappen. The Ferraris, with a higher fuel load, occupy sixth, with Hamilton, and seventh position with Leclerc, who touches the wall at turn 16. Tsunoda struggles and finds himself 17th. The second and final attempt turns out to be very chaotic.: several drivers took the flag and therefore could not even start the final lap. One above all Tsunoda, who slowed down seeing his teammate in front of him and slowed down just before the last corner, then failing to start the tour in time. In the end, SQ1 ends with a 1-2 for Mercedes and Albon in third position. They are eliminated Stroll, Doohan, Tsunoda, Bortoleto and Bearman. Note Nico Hulkenberg taking his Stake to SQ2 and a possible Verstappen's impeding of Lando Norris.
In Miami McLaren starts to make its voice heard in the SQ2, Verstappen close
The scheduled 10 minutes start in which the drivers, always with the medium tyres, will try to get into the top 10. In the sprint qualifications in Miami Antonelli continues to prove himself to be very fast, surpassed only by the two McLarens, who with these tyres seem to have an extra step ahead of the competition once again. Ferraris seem to be struggling, with Leclerc just over 4 tenths from the leader and Hamilton almost a second behind. Only the top teams go out immediately, while the other teams make just one attempt. With two minutes to go, everyone goes for it, this time a little earlier. McLaren is starting to get serious and with Norris he signs a 1.27.109 approached only by Verstappen. Piastri, Antonelli and the two Ferrari drivers are further behind. Out of the fight for the top positions Hulkenberg, Ocon, Gasly, Lawson and Sainz, protagonist of a spectacular block that did not allow him to set an interesting time.
Sprint Qualifying in Miami is by an exceptional Antonelli
The 8 minutes that will determine the first 10 starting positions for the Sprint race begin. Finally the drivers can ride on the soft tires, a compound never used on this track. Only Verstappen and Russell go out immediately, while the others opt for a single attempt. Russell places himself ahead of Verstappen by almost 3 tenths, demolishing the track record. It should be noted, however, that the Briton had fuel for a single attempt. With 3 minutes to go in the session, all the other cars take to the track. Verstappen improves further, but is overtaken by both McLaren drivers, with Piastri ahead of Norris, and by a phenomenal Kimi Antonelli, who signs the Pole Position for the Sprint Race. Russell finishes fifth paying for a certainly particular strategy, then Leclerc, Hamilton, Albon, Hadjar and Alonso.
For the young Italian this is an incredible achievement: he is the youngest ever to start at the front of the grid in Formula 1. The appointment, at this point unmissable, is tomorrow at 18:00 Italian time.
And from a Fanta F1 perspective?
It is important to underline that, as already anticipated in the regulation of the Fantasy F1 game, Qualifications of Sprint do not affect the game score.
La Sprint, instead, is considered as a separate race and for this reason its results are counted together with those of the Sunday race to be calculated – as usual – on Monday evening.
