Max Verstappen put on a strong show at the Miami Grand Prix to grab pole position. He beat Lando Norris and Kimi Antonelli by only six hundredths of a second. The Red Bull driver was calm and fast as he raced around the tricky track built around the Hard Rock Stadium.
It was a close battle in Q3. Every small mistake could have changed the results. But Verstappen stayed cool. His lap time of 1:26.204 kept him on top as rivals pushed hard to beat him.
A Perfect Lap at the Right Time
Max Verstappen saved his best for the final round. He set the fastest time on his first run. Oscar Piastri was right behind, just one hundredth of a second slower. Lando Norris was even closer, just three thousandths behind Piastri.
On the last runs, Verstappen improved again. Norris had a fast middle sector but lost time in the last part of the track after hitting the kerb at Turn 17. Piastri couldn’t go quicker, while Antonelli pulled off a great lap to take third. That locked Verstappen in for pole position.
A Comeback After Sprint Trouble
Just hours before qualifying, Verstappen had faced bad luck. In the sprint race, he was given a penalty for an unsafe release in the pits. That pushed him from fourth to 17th. But pole position gave him a chance to gain back points on Sunday.
Going into the weekend, Verstappen trailed Piastri by 21 points in the title fight. The pole helps him stay in the mix for the championship.
New Baby, Same Speed
Verstappen had more news off the track. He recently became a father to a baby girl named Lily. Some fans wondered if fatherhood would slow him down. But Verstappen said it had not changed his drive.
He said spending time at home before the race was good for him. He felt relaxed and ready. The pole, he said, proved that he can still perform at the top level, even with big life changes.
Red Bull’s New Parts Show Promise
This pole came after a rough start to the season for Red Bull. In Bahrain, Verstappen only finished sixth due to car issues. The team said there were gaps between what the wind tunnel showed and how the car acted on track.
Red Bull brought a new floor to Miami to help fix those issues. While the upgrade is still in early stages, it seemed to work well over one lap. Verstappen’s speed in qualifying gave hope that the car is improving.
Looking for More Consistency
Even with pole, Verstappen warned that the team must keep working. He said the car still needs better balance and fewer errors. The Miami track has a unique layout, so it’s hard to judge the upgrades fully. But the signs are good.
Verstappen said they need to improve more to stay in the title fight. Red Bull is not yet where they want to be. He added that even small steps forward matter a lot.
Hamilton and Ferrari Struggle
Lewis Hamilton, fresh from a sprint race podium, had a tough day. He did not reach Q3 and ended up 12th. This was his first Q2 exit since joining Ferrari. His teammate Carlos Sainz did better, taking sixth place. But it was still far from what Ferrari hoped for.
Charles Leclerc finished eighth, behind Alex Albon in seventh. Esteban Ocon and Yuki Tsunoda took ninth and tenth. Newcomer Isack Hadjar impressed with 11th. Liam Lawson came 15th. Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan, and Nico Hülkenberg placed 13th, 14th, and 16th.
It was a bad day for Aston Martin. Fernando Alonso was only 17th, and Lance Stroll took 19th. Pierre Gasly and Oliver Bearman will start from the back row.
Tight Championship Race
The fight for the title is heating up. Piastri leads the standings, but only by nine points over Norris. Verstappen is close behind. With so many races left, every point counts.
Sunday’s race could shift the balance again. Verstappen is in the best spot to take the win, but the field is close. A fast start and smart pit stops will be key.
What to Watch on Race Day
The Miami Grand Prix often brings surprises. The tight corners and long straights can lead to bold moves. Tire wear will also play a big part, as the hot track adds stress.
If Verstappen can stay ahead at the start, he has a good chance. But Norris, Antonelli, and Piastri are all fast and hungry for wins. Fans can expect drama and action as the title race moves to the next round.