MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Lando Norris is back on top, and he brought the speed to Miami. The reigning Formula 1 champion clinched pole position for Saturday's sprint race at the Miami Grand Prix, edging out current points leader Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes in a thrilling qualifying session.
Norris's McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri locked in third place, just 0.017 seconds behind Antonelli, setting the stage for an electrifying second sprint race of the season. It's a welcome return to form for McLaren, who have been fine-tuning their machine during the sport's five-week break.
Friday marked the first real test of the regulation changes implemented by the FIA after drivers voiced strong concerns about how electrical battery power was affecting car performance and competition. Norris made the most of the updated package, delivering a statement lap that had the Miami crowd buzzing.
"It was great," Norris said with a grin. "Perfect result for us, nice way to reward the team. We've got a lot of new upgrades on the car, so nice to feel some grip again. I've always loved Miami."
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari took fourth place, ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who has been making headlines for reasons beyond his on-track performance. The four-time world champion has hinted at walking away from F1, first raising the possibility after the Japanese Grand Prix in March. He's been outspoken about his dissatisfaction with the new regulations, calling the recent changes "a tickle" of a fix.
"I still have time and I'm taking my time," Verstappen said when asked about his future. "What I said in Japan is still the same, but I also still have a lot of time." The Dutchman has been keeping busy with other racing commitments, including a stint at the Nordschleife in Germany to prepare for a 24-hour race later this month.
Elsewhere on the grid, Cadillac's North American debut hit a rough patch, with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas qualifying 19th and 20th, respectively. The team will be looking to climb the order in Saturday's sprint.
With fresh upgrades, a fired-up Norris, and lingering questions about Verstappen's future, the Miami Grand Prix sprint race is shaping up to be a can't-miss event. Whether you're cheering from the stands or watching from home, make sure you're geared up in your favorite team's colors—because in F1, every second counts.