Q1

Qualifying in Miami got off to a tense start, with everyone keeping an eye on the sky and wondering if the rain would show up. The drivers were lined up in the pit lane, ready to head out as soon as the session began. The two Saubers were at the front of the queue, with the Alpines just behind them, all hoping to get a clean lap in before the weather changed. It was a bit of a waiting game to see whether the rain would come, and if so, when.

Most drivers headed out on used soft tyres. Oscar Piastri looked quick early on, setting the fastest time and going a couple of tenths quicker than Max Verstappen. Meanwhile, Alex Albon was noted by the stewards for a possible unsafe release in front of Isack Hadjar as the session got going.

As the clock ticked down, Verstappen responded and went fastest with a time of 1:26.870. Several drivers were in danger of going out, including Oliver Bearman, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso. Lewis Hamilton also had a tough time after locking up at Turn 17 and needed another run to make it through.

In the end, Verstappen topped the session, with Lando Norris close behind in second despite brushing the wall. Bearman, Stroll, Gasly, Alonso and Hulkenberg were all knocked out in Q1.

Q2

McLaren continued to look strong in the second part of qualifying. Piastri set the pace with a time of 1:26.269, ahead of Norris, who made it a one-two for the team. Andrea Kimi Antonelli was just behind in third place.

George Russell, struggling with balance in his Mercedes, said he didn’t feel confident in the car. Still, he managed to put in a good lap and moved into the top ten. For others, including Lewis Hamilton, it was the end of the road. Hamilton locked up again at Turn 17 and couldn’t improve. Also out were Hadjar, Bortoleto, Doohan and Lawson.

Q3

The final part of qualifying was a close fight between Red Bull and McLaren. Verstappen set the fastest time on the first runs, but there were just hundredths of a second between him, Norris and Piastri.

Verstappen didn’t have a perfect final lap, sliding at Turn 1, but still managed to improve. He pulled out a clear gap over the McLarens and secured pole position. Norris pushed hard but made a mistake over the kerbs in Turn 17, while Piastri couldn’t find the extra time.

Antonelli had another strong showing and took third place for Mercedes, ahead of Piastri in fourth. George Russell ended up fifth, with Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon behind him in sixth and seventh. Charles Leclerc had a messy session and qualified eighth for Ferrari. Esteban Ocon finished ninth, and Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top ten.