ON THE TRACK: KIMI ANTONELLI MAKES HISTORY MAKES HISTORY-YOUNGEST-EVER SPRINT POLE WINNER

Tony C. Lesesne

Special things happen at the F1 Miami Grand prix every year. HIstory was made is fne fashion once again. Miami's energy is electric this weekend, and as provide daily coverage and branding insight for the Formula 1 Miami FGrand Prix.

On Friday, Nay 2, 2025, Sprint Qualifying was pure drama. Eighteen-year-old Kimi Antonelli – can you believe it? – snatched his first-ever F1 Sprint pole! The Mercedes rookie just shattered the lap record here at the Miami International Autodrome, edging out McLaren's dynamic duo, Piastri and Norris, by a hair's breadth. On his very first visit to Miami Gardens, Antonelli laid down a lap that was a mere 0.045 seconds quicker than Piastri. Unreal! Behind them, the reigning World Champion Verstappen qualified fourth, with his Mercedes teammate Russell right behind in fifth.

"It was a very intense Qualifying," Antonelli said, and you could feel it. "I felt really good this morning and confident going into the session. The last lap was mighty — I basically put everything together. I’m really happy to get my first pole. Tomorrow will be special, starting on the front row. It’s going to be a different feeling and I really can’t wait to see how we do in the Sprint.” The Mercedes garage erupted – you could see the delight on their faces.

The final eight minutes of SQ3 were a nail-biter. Verstappen initially set a blistering pace, but Russell topped him, only for Antonelli to steal the show with that incredible lap. Tomorrow's Sprint will see the Ferraris of Leclerc and Hamilton starting in sixth and seventh, respectively – plenty of potential for fireworks there. I LOVE it and so did the crowd.

SQ1 had its own drama. Several drivers, including Red Bull's Tsunoda, didn't make it across the line in time for a final flying lap. Gasly clipped the wall, and Sainz was eliminated in SQ2 after a lock-up.

Earlier, the free practice session was relatively smooth, though we saw some stunning Miami-themed liveries – Ferrari's blue and white was a real head-turner, and Racing Bulls went all out with pink! Piastri topped the timesheets in that session. The only real incident was Bearman spinning his Haas and hitting the wall, which brought out a red flag and unfortunately means he'll start last in tomorrow's Sprint.

The F1 ACADEMY Women Drive forum

And let's not forget the F1 ACADEMY! After their Women Drive forum yesterday, the all-female series hit the track. Pin set the pace in the morning, and championship leader Weug was fastest in the afternoon. There was a bit of drama at the start of the afternoon session with a collision. Qualifying and the first race are tomorrow – with a reverse top-eight grid, that's bound to be exciting!

Off-track, the news of the Miami Grand Prix

Off-track, the news of the Miami Grand Prix securing its spot on the F1 calendar until 2041 is huge! A ten-year extension – that speaks volumes about the success of this event and F1's growing popularity here in the States. Set against the backdrop of the Hard Rock Stadium, it's become this incredible blend of motorsport, music, culture, and lifestyle. Tom Garfinkel from South Florida Motorsports emphasized the commitment to investing in the event and listening to the fans – that's what it takes to build something truly special.

The atmosphere here is buzzing. Kygo and Cedric Gervais had the Hard Rock Beach Club pumping today, and there's more music lined up. Plus, the Bonhams|Cars auction is back, featuring Jenson Button's championship-winning car!

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awesome global community

Being here, experiencing this energy, it's clear that the Miami Grand Prix is so much more than just a race weekend. It's an experience, a networking goldmine, and a fantastic way to connect with people on a whole different level. And as "On The Track F1" continues to bring you all the insights, you can bet we'll be right here in the thick of it, showing you exactly why this is the place to be.Even if you're not trackside, the energy of this Miami F1 weekend is palpable, isn't it? It's like a Super Bowl for the sophisticated, a global conversation ignited by the sheer spectacle of it all. Through "On The Track F1," we aim to capture that very essence – the adrenaline-fueled fun, the cutting-edge technology pushing the boundaries of speed, and the undeniable style that permeates every aspect, from the vibrant liveries to the A-list crowds. We dissect it all, the on-track battles and the off-track buzz, creating a dialogue that brings you into this exhilarating world, no matter where you're watching from. It's about understanding not just the racing, but the cultural phenomenon that F1 in Miami has become.