McLaren's Lando Norris secures sprint pole at Miami Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes

McLaren's Lando Norris has secured sprint pole position at the Miami Grand Prix, beating Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by 0.222 seconds. The result marks the first time this season a driver has beaten a Mercedes in qualifying, with McLaren's Oscar Piastri finishing third, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc fourth, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen fifth.

The event serves as the first Formula 1 race in five weeks following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. It is also the first sprint weekend since rule changes to engine-management regulations were implemented, with the qualifying session extended by 30 minutes to allow teams to adapt. Norris achieved the pole position using a major upgrade package brought by McLaren, which he noted restored rear grip and comfort from the first lap.

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli salvaged the team's result by being the last car to set a time in the final session, capitalising on grippier track conditions after the Mercedes car struggled in the heat earlier. Mercedes' George Russell finished sixth, running first in the session but ending 0.4 seconds behind his team-mate Antonelli. Lewis Hamilton finished seventh in the second Ferrari, ahead of Alpine's Franco Colapinto.

Ferrari and Red Bull also brought major upgrade packages this weekend, though Red Bull's appear more effective so far with Verstappen fifth. Norris' result is significant as it is his first pole position since Las Vegas last year, and the Miami Grand Prix is confirmed as a sprint weekend format.

The session was the first since rule changes to engine-management regulations were implemented, and the qualifying session was extended by 30 minutes to accommodate teams adapting to the new rules. Norris said the upgrades gave him a good step and he felt comfortable from the first lap, apart from one corner where he completely missed it.