Mercedes' Italian driver Kimi Antonelli (C), winner of the pole position, stands with Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen (L), who finished second, and Ferrari's Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc (R), who finished third, after the qualifying session for the 2026 Miami Formula One Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, on May 2, 2026.

Antonelli takes 3rd straight pole, Verstappen on front row in Miami

3 days ago
CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP / Getty

Kimi Antonelli qualified on pole for a third consecutive race at the Miami Grand Prix on Saturday, narrowly beating out Max Verstappen.

Antonelli is the first Mercedes driver to take three consecutive poles since Lewis Hamilton in 2020 and the first Italian to achieve the feat since Riccardo Patrese in 1991.

Meanwhile, Verstappen's second-place qualifying is his best performance of the season. The four-time champion is the first non-Mercedes pilot to qualify in the top two this year.

Reigning champion Lando Norris qualified fourth after claiming pole for the Miami sprint race on Friday.

George Russell, Antonelli's championship rival and teammate, had his worst showing of the season, placing fifth. Russell trails the Italian by seven points in the standings.

Drivers from different teams made up the top four, with Mercedes, Red Bull, Ferrari, and McLaren all represented.

Franco Colapinto also made his first Q3 appearance as an Alpine driver.

Notably, a driver starting on the front row has never won the Miami GP.

Position Driver Team Time
1 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:27.798
2 Max Verstappen Red Bull +0.166
3 Charles Leclerc Ferrari +0.345
4 Lando Norris McLaren +0.385
5 George Russell Mercedes +0.399
6 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari +0.521
7 Oscar Piastri McLaren +0.702
8 Franco Colapinto Alpine +0.964
9 Isack Hadjar Red Bull +0.991
10 Pierre Gasly Alpine +1.012
11 Nico Hulkenberg Audi Q2
12 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls Q2
13 Oliver Bearman Haas Q2
14 Carlos Sainz Williams Q2
15 Esteban Ocon Haas Q2
16 Alex Albon Williams Q2
17 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls Q1
18 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin Q1
18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin Q1
20 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac Q1
21 Sergio Perez Cadillac Q1
22 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi Q1
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