Qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix delivered plenty of intrigue, with early pace, unexpected struggles, and a few format changes shaping the grid for Sunday’s race.
In Q1, Max Verstappen immediately caught attention by setting one of the fastest times despite not using a fresh set of tyres. The reigning champion’s efficiency highlighted both confidence and strategy, as he comfortably secured a strong position heading into the later sessions.
However, it was Kimi Antonelli who topped the timing sheets in the opening segment. The young Mercedes driver appeared determined to recover from a frustrating sprint race, where a five-second penalty dropped him to sixth place. Unlike Verstappen, Antonelli relied on an additional set of tyres to maximize performance, underlining a more aggressive approach.
One of the biggest talking points of the session was the ongoing struggles of Audi. The team endured a chaotic outing, particularly through Gabriel Bortoleto. After being disqualified from the sprint race earlier in the day due to an engine intake air pressure violation, Bortoleto’s problems continued into qualifying. He failed to take to the track until the closing moments of Q1 and managed just a single lap, which was over five seconds slower than the session leader. To make matters worse, his car even suffered a brief brake fire incident. As a result, he will line up at the very back of the grid for Sunday’s race.
This weekend also introduced notable adjustments to the qualifying format. With the grid now expanded to 22 cars, six drivers—rather than the usual five—are eliminated in both Q1 and Q2. This still leaves 10 competitors battling it out in Q3 for pole position.
Additionally, the final qualifying segment has been slightly extended. Q3 now runs for 13 minutes instead of the traditional 12, giving drivers an extra opportunity to extract the best possible lap times in the fight for pole.
Overall, the Miami qualifying session combined strategic tyre choices, standout individual performances, and dramatic setbacks, setting the stage for what promises to be an unpredictable and competitive race.