Max fourth in Miami Sprint Qualifying: 'We'll have to make the most of it.'

Published on 02 May 2025 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen will start the Miami Grand Prix sprint race from fourth place on the grid. Kimi Antonelli secured a career first pole position in sprint qualifying, ahead of the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.

“The tyres held on pretty well”, said Max after SQ3. “But from the first free practice session, we’ve had understeer in the car. And with all those slow corners, you lose a lot of time. We’re pretty competitive in the first sector, because a couple of fast corners, but as soon as we get to the slow ones, we don’t have enough grip. P4 is good. It’s not where we want to be, but we have to be realistic with the limitations of our car. It’s still pretty close.”

Looking ahead to Saturday, the Oracle Red Bull Racing driver said: “It’s always difficult to predict a sprint weekend. But I feel that it will be difficult in the heat. We’ll have to try to make the most of it.”

At the start of the qualifying session that determines the grid for Saturday’s sprint, the track temperature has gone up by ten degrees Celsius compared to Friday practice. Max is one of the first front runners to set a time. His 1:27.5 initially takes him to the top of the standings, but both McLarens and Mercedes go quicker than the reigning world champion.

In the closing minutes the pressure is on for everyone to get (another) lap on the board. In the ensuing melee to gain the ideal track position for their flying laps, several drivers do not cross the timeline on time to start another timed lap. Bearman (Haas), Bortoleto (Sauber), Tsunoda (RB), Doohan (Alpine) and Stroll (Aston Martin, all strand in SQ1.

In the second part of sprint qualifying, Max is the early pace setter but is soon usurped by the likes of Antonelli and the two McLarens. Max quickly retaliates with his second and final lap in SQ2. His 1:27.245 is momentarily fastest, with only Lando Norris eventually going quicker. Further back, Carlos Sainz (Williams), Lawson (RB), Gasly (Alpine), Ocon (Haas) and Hulkenberg (Sauber) do not make the cut.

Max is the first driver to clock a lap in SQ3. His 1:27.0 is swiftly bettered by George Russell in the Mercedes. The duo will attempt two timed efforts, whilst the other eight drivers opt to do only do one timed lap.

In the closing minutes all ten remaining cars take to the track for the final shoot-out. Max is once again the first to set his time and leads with a 1:26.737. Moments later, Antonelli completes the quickest lap ever around the Miami International Autodrome (1:26.482), propelling the young Italian to the top of the timing sheets. Norris and Piastri are unable to better the rookie’s stellar lap meaning Antonelli claims his first pole. Norris will line up alongside on the front row for the sprint. On the second row, Piastri is joined by Max. Antonelli’s teammate George Russell completes the top five.

Contest Miami GP: win a by Max Verstappen signed Red Bull Racing 2025 cap!

Results sprint qualifying Miami: