18-Year-Old Kimi Antonelli Shines in F1 Miami GP, Snags First Sprint Pole!

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the new star from Mercedes, just snagged his first sprint pole at the Miami Grand Prix. He outpaced both McLaren drivers during the qualifying session, showing impressive speed with a time of 1m26.482s. Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris from McLaren followed him closely, finishing just 0.045s and 0.100s behind, respectively.

Max Verstappen, the reigning champion, secured the fourth spot, with George Russell from Mercedes and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton trailing closely behind. Williams driver Alex Albon finished in eighth place, while Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls was ninth. Fernando Alonso rounded out the top ten for Aston Martin.

In the final shootout, Antonelli and Verstappen were the only ones to run the track early on. While they had a clear path initially, the later drivers struggled with traffic as the Miami Autodrome became faster. Despite Verstappen’s improvement in speed, he couldn’t match Antonelli’s electric pace, leading to a spontaneous celebration from the 18-year-old.

Traffic Troubles in Qualifying

During the second qualifying phase, several drivers including Nico Hulkenberg and Carlos Sainz faced elimination. The pit lane was chaotic, with 20 cars vying for position. In the first run, Antonelli set the pace, but the rapidly evolving track conditions made it hard for others to find clear air. This led to frustration for drivers like Jack Doohan and Yuki Tsunoda, who couldn’t complete their laps due to traffic issues.

It’s worth noting that sprint qualifying has become increasingly popular in F1, giving fans thrilling action and providing teams a chance to strategize early in race weekends. According to a recent survey, 62% of fans enjoy the added excitement sprint races bring. They appreciate the fast-paced racing and the additional opportunities for drivers to showcase their skills.

As the Miami Grand Prix sprint approaches, anticipation builds. The race is set for Saturday, featuring 19 laps of high-speed excitement.

To stay updated on all the latest news and insights from the F1 Miami Grand Prix, you can check out trusted sources like [Motorsport.com](https://www.motorsport.com) for detailed analysis, photos, and videos.

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Andrea Kimi Antonelli,Formula 1,Miami GP,F1 Miami Grand Prix