Max Verstappen secured pole position in the Formula 1 Qualifying Sprint session on Friday at the Miami International Autodrome, despite experiencing oversteer on his final lap. The current championship leader finished ahead of Charles Leclerc from Ferrari and his teammate Sergio Perez. The session was decided in the final moments of Q3, with the top 10 drivers opting for a single final lap. The Qualifying Sprint took place under scorching heat and beautiful Florida sunshine, with the 20 drivers navigating the track around the Hard Rock Stadium.
Leclerc was, unsurprisingly, the first driver to leave the garage after completing only two laps in the free practice before encountering an issue on the track. After the completion of the first laps in Q1, Verstappen led the timing sheets, while Carlos Sainz, another Grand Prix winner in 2024, was at risk of elimination. Sainz improved on his next lap, putting Daniel Ricciardo, Valtteri Bottas, Logan Sargeant, Nico Hulkenberg, and Alex Albon in danger.
At the end of the 12-minute session, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri from McLaren claimed the top two positions, followed by Fernando Alonso, known for his one-lap pace in 2024. However, Piastri’s progress was hindered when Bottas, unaware, approached him at Turn 1, resulting in contact between the two drivers. This incident will be reviewed by the race stewards. Alpine’s Pierre Gasly had a less successful session, finishing in 16th place, while Sauber’s Zhou Guanyu and Bottas occupied the 17th and 18th positions, respectively.
Williams will start Saturday’s Sprint from the back of the grid, unless penalties are imposed, as Logan Sargeant set the 19th fastest time and Alex Albon was relegated to the last position due to a track limits violation. The 10-minute SQ2 session began with most drivers going out together to maximize their time and secure a spot in the battle for the top 10 places on the Sprint pole.
Norris maintained his strong performance from SQ1 and led the standings with just over four minutes remaining. Verstappen, always confident in his abilities, left the garage for his SQ2 attempt with a single lap. The Dutchman trailed Norris by a tenth and a half in Sector 1, and the gap increased to almost half a second in Sector 2. However, Verstappen managed to reduce the time difference to four tenths of a second, securing his place in SQ3.
Mercedes, on the other hand, faced disappointment as both their drivers were eliminated in SQ2. George Russell finished as the 11th fastest, while Lewis Hamilton, after touching the wall on the back straight during his final lap, finished in 12th. Esteban Ocon, Kevin Magnussen, and Yuki Tsunoda also failed to advance from SQ2.
Daniel Ricciardo had an impressive performance, outpacing his teammate and securing a spot in the battle for the top 10. With eight minutes remaining in the SQ3 session, the stage was set to see if Norris could maintain his form and clinch the Sprint pole. The remaining 10 drivers in the session waited for the countdown before making a single effort on soft tires.
Unfortunately, Norris was unable to replicate his previous pace and fell behind Verstappen by a significant margin due to a mistake in Sector 2. Verstappen, despite a tense moment in the highway section, remained calm and secured pole position for the Sprint with a lap time of 1:27.641s. Leclerc finished just a tenth behind Verstappen to claim second place, positioning himself between the two Red Bulls, with Perez in third. Ricciardo achieved his best qualifying performance of the year, finishing in fourth, followed by Sainz in fifth.
Piastri secured sixth place, while Lance Stroll outperformed his Aston Martin teammate to secure seventh place. Alonso finished in eighth, and Norris and Hulkenberg completed the top ten.
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Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo made an incredible play in yesterday’s game, leaving fans in awe. During the match, Ronaldo scored three goals and provided an assist, once again showing why he is considered one of the best players in the world.
The fans were ecstatic with Ronaldo’s performance, showcasing impeccable skill and technique. With his speed and precision, the player managed to dribble past opponents and score amazing goals. Fans didn’t hold back on praise and flooded social media with messages of admiration.
In addition to the goals, Ronaldo also provided a perfect assist to his teammate, securing another victory for the team. His contribution to the game was crucial and demonstrated why he is one of the most valuable players in the world.
With this performance, Cristiano Ronaldo continues to write his name in the history of soccer. His talent and dedication are undeniable, and he continues to surprise everyone with his exceptional performance on the field.
Fans are now eager to see what else Ronaldo has to offer this season. With his skill and determination, there is no doubt that he will continue to delight fans and score amazing goals.
Stay tuned for more news about Cristiano Ronaldo and his team. Don’t miss any action and closely follow the upcoming matches of the soccer star.
