F1: Kimi Antonelli on pole position for Miami Grand Prix with race start moved up three hours due to weather conditions

The Italian won the qualifiers for the third consecutive time on Saturday and will start ahead of a Max Verstappen on a new dynamic.

He continues his superb streak. World championship leader Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) will start from pole position for the third consecutive Grand Prix on Sunday, May 3. He set the record straight, a few hours after finishing the sprint race in fourth place, which ended in sixth place due to a penalty.

“I’m really happy to have recovered that way. This weekend has been a bit more difficult for us but we keep maximizing so that’s what’s important. I’ll try to get a good start and we’ll see what happens,” reacted Kimi Antonelli who will start ahead of a hungry Max Verstappen (Red Bull). Adjustments made during the forced five-week break caused by the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia events have allowed Red Bull to improve the performance of their car.

“I didn’t feel good in the car during the first three races and the team did an incredible job to bring improvements. This weekend, I feel much better, I have much more control, and the new upgrades seem to be working very well,” savored the four-time world champion, who had not hidden his frustration since the start of the season. He will be highly motivated at the start of the race, moved up by three hours (7:00 pm French time) due to the risk of storms in Florida.

The new regulations introduced for the Florida weekend, aimed at simplifying the management of electric engine power, don’t seem to have upset the hierarchy as anticipated by F1 actors. However, improvements on cars introduced by many teams have changed the game. While Mercedes’ dominance is not completely challenged, the gap has significantly reduced with its competitors. McLaren ended the German team’s invincibility this season by achieving a one-two on Saturday during the sprint, won by British driver Lando Norris ahead of his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri.

The two will start from 4th and 7th place respectively. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) is still in the mix. The Monegasque will start from third position. George Russell (Mercedes) only managed the 5th time, ahead of Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari). Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) was supposed to be the highest-ranking Frenchman on the grid with his 9th qualifying time, but he will start from the pits due to an irregularity found on the floor of his car. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) benefits from this and will start from 9th place, while Esteban Ocon (Haas) is 14th on the grid.