In a historic moment for Italian motorsport, Kimi Antonelli achieved a stunning pole position during the Sprint qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix on May 2, 2025. The 18-year-old driver for Mercedes clocked an impressive lap time of 1'26"482, setting a new track record at the Miami International Autodrome. This remarkable feat not only marks Antonelli's first career pole but also makes him the youngest poleman in the history of Sprint qualifying.
Antonelli's performance was nothing short of spectacular, as he outpaced the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, who finished second and third respectively. Piastri trailed Antonelli by just 45 milliseconds, while Norris was a tenth of a second behind. Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, took fourth place, followed by his teammate George Russell in fifth.
Despite the excitement surrounding Antonelli, the day was disappointing for Scuderia Ferrari. Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton could only manage sixth and seventh places, respectively, falling short of expectations. Leclerc finished 326 milliseconds behind Antonelli, while Hamilton was 548 milliseconds off the pace.
"It was an intense qualifying session. The last attempt was incredible, and I felt very good in the car. The time came naturally," Antonelli said, beaming with pride after his qualifying run. He expressed his eagerness to start from the front row in the Sprint race scheduled for May 3, 2025.
The Sprint race, which will take place at 18:00 Italian time, promises to be an exciting event as Antonelli leads the grid for the first time in his career. This achievement also marks the first time an Italian driver has secured pole position in F1 since Giancarlo Fisichella at the 2009 Belgian Grand Prix.
Antonelli's journey to pole position began with a strong performance in Free Practice, where he showcased the potential of his Mercedes W16. Throughout the qualifying session, he maintained his composure and executed a flawless final lap, leaving his competitors in awe. The young Italian's talent and determination have quickly made him a fan favorite, igniting hopes of a bright future in Formula 1.
As the teams prepared for the Sprint race, the atmosphere was electric. Fans eagerly anticipated how Antonelli would handle the pressure of leading the pack. The McLaren drivers, both hungry for victory, are expected to challenge him fiercely, while Verstappen will also look to capitalize on any mistakes made by the front runners.
In the background, Ferrari's struggles continue to raise eyebrows. Team Principal Frederic Vasseur acknowledged the difficulties, stating, "We are not far from the cars ahead, but we have struggled to put everything together. We have some balancing issues, and the temperatures will be a key factor in tomorrow's race." The Scuderia's performance has been under scrutiny, and fans are hoping for a turnaround as the season progresses.
Looking ahead, the Sprint race will set the stage for the main event, with qualifying for the main race taking place later that evening at 22:00 Italian time. The main race is scheduled for May 4, 2025, at 22:00. As the Miami Grand Prix weekend unfolds, all eyes will be on Antonelli to see if he can convert his pole position into a race victory and further solidify his status as a rising star in Formula 1.
The top ten from the Sprint qualifying are as follows:
- 1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- 2. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- 3. Lando Norris (McLaren)
- 4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 5. George Russell (Mercedes)
- 6. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- 7. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- 8. Alexander Albon (Williams)
- 9. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls)
- 10. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
As the teams regroup and strategize for the upcoming races, the excitement surrounding Kimi Antonelli's breakthrough continues to build. With the potential for more surprises in the Sprint and main races, fans are in for an exhilarating weekend of Formula 1 action.
