Crazy qualifying session in Miami concludes with Perez in pole position ahead of Alonso and Sainz. Leclerc goes off the track and crashes causing the red flag one and a half minutes from the end. So much to rebuild for the Monegasque and for Verstappenwhich will start no no given the high tempo caused by a double traverse.
What a Q1 in Miami! An excluded Aston Martin and the McLaren disappointment
Particular round that of Q1 of the Miami qualifiers. To pay dearly for the extreme improvement of the track is Logan Sergeant. The landlord is twentieth, a placement decidedly below expectations given the performance of his teammate (11th). In front of him, in 19th position, is Oscar Piastres. The Australian sees his team-mate just ahead: Norris is 16th. Yet another bitter pill for McLaren, still in the knowledge phase of the update package brought to Azerbaijani soil.
Just behind Norris is Tsuonoda, protagonist of an alleged unsafe release at the exit of the pits. McLaren's Japanese and Australian sandwich Aston Martin's Stroll. An unexpected epilogue that of the Canadian, who he is mocked by the improvement of the track and by the lack of use of the new soft tyres. Note the Hulkenberg traverse at the exit from the slow stretch and the Hamilton contact with the wall in an attempt to avoid Magnussen's Haas. The Englishman was forced to change the front wing. Miami traffic also tickles Zhou, that due to a misunderstanding he finds himself between SF-23 and the wall one step away from disaster.
Surprise in Q2: Hamilton is excluded
Even in the preparatory round for the final rush there were surprises. Sergio Perez opened the session by touching the wall with his right front foot turn 4. No damage for the Mexican who continued the session without problems, on the contrary. In 11th position there is the usual Alex Albon, which with the umpteenth magic brings the Williams a hair's breadth from the "grown-up" session.
It doesn't even pass the cut Hulkenberg, who will start twelfth. Lewis is surprisingly behind the German Hamilton. The English quarrel with the defects of the W14 and it does no better than 13esimo time. Behind the 44 is Zhou, which for an error shatters the dreams of those who hoped to see two Alfa Romeos in Q3. Bottas succeeds in taking Alfa to the last round. The Swiss stable he had not seen the final round since Mexico. The AlphaTauri of de Vries is 15th.
Perez pole in Miami after Leclerc's exit. Verstappen ninth
The last round of qualifying concludes with theLeclerc off the track. The Monegasque, strengthened by an excellent SF-23 on the flying lap, crosses the line for the second time and goes off the track causing a red flag. Check for any damage to the gearbox and axle shaft, given the impact with the rear.
Fourth pole of the season for the Red Bull. This time Sergio Perez will start in front of everyone. The Mexican can dream seen the ninth time of Verstappen, betrayed by the red flag and two errors on his first attempt. Behind Perez is the Spanish duo formed by Alonso and Sainz. Fantastic and lucky Kevin Magnussen: the Dane will start fourth. Excellent performance by Alpine: Gasly is fifth, Ocon eighth. Russell finishes sixth ahead of Leclerc. In tenth position there is Bottas, protagonist of aAlfa Romeo on the ball. A race full of surprises is expected given the partially messed up starting grid.
