Kimi Antonelli delivered a spectacular response to a difficult start to the Miami Grand Prix weekend by claiming pole position for Sunday’s race at the Miami International Autodrome. The Mercedes driver produced a superb qualifying lap after a challenging Friday and Sprint Saturday, giving the team its first pole position at the Florida circuit.
Mercedes had struggled earlier in the weekend to find the right balance with the W17, particularly in the slower corners. Neither Antonelli nor George Russell had felt fully comfortable with the car during Friday running or Saturday morning’s Sprint. Russell finished the Sprint in fourth place, while Antonelli was classified sixth after receiving a five-second penalty for exceeding track limits.
After the Sprint, the team made setup changes aimed at improving the car’s balance and single-lap performance. Those adjustments proved decisive in qualifying. Both drivers reached Q3, and Antonelli’s first flying lap in the final session was enough to secure pole position with a time of 1:27.798. Russell also showed improved pace but had to settle for fifth place after a small mistake in the final corner cost him valuable time.
Antonelli was delighted with the result, describing it as the perfect way to end the day after a frustrating Sprint. He said he felt he had extracted the maximum from both himself and the car, even though he was forced to abandon his final flying lap after locking up. The Italian now turns his attention to Sunday’s race, where he hopes to convert pole into victory.
Russell admitted that fifth place was disappointing, believing that third on the grid had been possible without small errors. However, he remains confident that Mercedes has the pace to fight forward, especially with rain and thunderstorms expected to play a role during the Grand Prix.
Team principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli’s performance and described Mercedes’ Saturday turnaround as solid. He also highlighted the extremely close nature of qualifying, with four different teams in contention for pole position. Andrew Shovlin added that the team’s progress after the Sprint was encouraging, even if the unpredictable weather could make Sunday’s race more complicated.
With rain in the forecast and Mercedes yet to run the W17 in wet conditions, the Miami Grand Prix could become a race full of uncertainty. But from pole position, Antonelli has placed himself and Mercedes in the best possible position to fight for victory.
Fabio Averna
