F1 Miami GP LIVE: Sprint race start time with teen star Kimi Antonelli on pole position
Follow all the reaction as teenage star Antonelli makes F1 history with pole in sprint qualifying
Teenager Kimi Antonelli sprung the surprise of the season so far by taking pole position for Saturday’s sprint race in Miami.
The 18-year-old Italian, just six rounds into his rookie campaign as a replacement for Lewis Hamilton, saw off championship leader Oscar Piastri by just 0.045 seconds at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Piastri’s McLaren team-mate Lando Norris finished third, 0.100 sec behind Antonelli, with Max Verstappen fourth and Antonelli’s Mercedes team-mate George Russell in fifth.
Charles Leclerc and Hamilton qualified sixth and seventh respectively for Ferrari.
Follow live coverage of the Miami Grand Prix with The Independent
George Russell, after qualifying P5 for the sprint:
“Massive congrats to Kimi, really pleased to see he did an amazing job.
“We wanted to go on the early side because I didn’t have that confidence, P5 today - not great, more to improve, but amazing for Kimi and the team.
“Sprint race weekends are challenging, I haven’t quite felt it in the car today.”
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff:
“Young man, hopefully will make us lots of fun in the future!
“It’s about the trajectory, he’s done it, he’s quickest!”
Miami GP start times:
All times BST
Saturday 3 May
- Sprint race: 5pm
- Qualifying: 9pm
Sunday 4 May
- Race: 9pm
TOP-10 IN SPRINT QUALIFYING
1. Kimi Antonelli
2. Oscar Piastri
3. Lando Norris
4. Max Verstappen
5. George Russell
6. Charles Leclerc
7. Lewis Hamilton
8. Alex Albon
9. Isack Hadjar
10. Fernando Alonso
Kimi Antonelli, record-breaker!
Antonelli, 18, is the youngest pole-sitter in any format of Formula One!
The next-best was Sebastian Vettel, at 20 years old!
Kimi Antonelli after finishing on pole:
“It was a very intense qualifying, I felt really good and confident – the last lap was mighty! I put everything together, really happy to get the pole!
“Tomorrow is going to be nice to start on the front row, a different feeling. I can’t wait for tomorrow, to see how we can do in the sprint and in qualifying.”
Kimi Antonelli on team radio:
Antonelli: “Yes mate, come on! Not bad, not bad!
Bono: “Well done lad! I think we’re getting somewhere...”
KA: “It feels mega!”
Kimi Antonelli takes pole position!
What a moment for the 18-year-old!
A stunning lap! All smiles in the Mercedes garage and from Toto Wolff!
Piastri 2nd, Norris 3rd.
4-10: Verstappen, Rssell, Leclerc, Hamilton, Albon, Hadjar, Alonso
George Russell on provisional pole!
Russell goes three-tenths quicker than Verstappen with a 1:26:7!
Market set for the rest with 3:00 to go!
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