The Red Bull driver from the Netherlands secured the top spot on the grid after clocking the fastest time in qualifying with a 1:26.204, narrowly edging out Lando Norris. The McLaren driver set a best lap of 1:26.269 and will also start on the front row.

Earlier in the day, Norris triumphed in a chaotic and rain-affected Sprint Race, winning in a time of 36:37.647 to claim eight valuable championship points. He finished ahead of his McLaren teammate and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix winner, Oscar Piastri, as well as seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari.

Lando Norris. Photo: X

Mercedes’ teenage sensation, Andrea Kimi Antonelli – who started the Sprint Race from pole – secured the third-fastest qualifying time with a 1:26.271. He will start from the second row alongside Piastri.

Antonelli’s teammate George Russell will line up in fifth position next to Carlos Sainz of Williams. Once again, Charles Leclerc was the quickest Ferrari driver and will start in eighth place. Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, Yuki Tsunoda, qualified down in 19th, while Hamilton will begin the race from 12th.

Verstappen, who recently became a father for the first time, expressed his delight at claiming pole position.

Oscar Piastri and Andrea Kimi Antonelli during the Miami Sprint Race. Photo: X

“It’s been a great qualifying. I think we improved the car just enough to help me rotate it a bit better. Honestly, through Q1, Q2, and Q3, we kept improving each run, just trying to find the limit,” Verstappen said.

“I had a small moment on my final lap going into Turn 1, so I lost a bit of time there. Around here, it’s very tricky with the tyres over a lap. But in the end, it worked out well, so I’m very happy to be on pole.

“Race pace? I’m not sure. We’ll have to wait and see about the weather. Starting from pole is the best possible position, so that’s always a positive. But the race is a different challenge altogether – we’ll try to make the most of it.”

Lights out for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix is scheduled for 22:00.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cg