In the tests for the Formula 1 grand prix in Miami, another feat by the Bolognese and a dedication to Alex Zanardi. Everything reversed compared to the Sprint with Mercedes returning as the protagonist, Verstappen second and Leclerc third
Another step in the history of motoring. Yet it didn’t seem like a great day for Kimi Antonelli and for Mercedes after Sprint. But as true champions know how to do, in just a few hours the Italian driver reset everything and with a fantastic lap he obtained the pole position of the Miami Grand Prix. It’s there third consecutive pole for the boy from Bologna and he couldn’t help but dedicate it to another great Bolognese: Alex Zanardi. “I’m happy after a complicated weekend, it wasn’t easy but the third lap was very good. This pole – underlines Antonelli to Sky’s microphones – is dedicated to Alex Zanardi who is a friend of ours”. Now Kimi’s name is alongside two Formula 1 legends: only the Brazilian Ayrton Senna and the German Michael Schumacher had managed to score three consecutive poles. Now Kimi has also succeeded and at this point he just needs to improve his starts and in any case tomorrow he will defend his lead in the world drivers’ standings from pole position.
Everything overturned
Formula 1 in 2026 offers repeated twists and turns: in addition to overtaking in the race, the new rules continually shuffle the hierarchies even after just a few hours. So it can happen that Mc Laren, the leaders of Sprint, suddenly find themselves in difficultythat Kimi Antonelli puts Mercedes back in front of everyone as has always happened this season and that also Max Verstappen becomes competitive again with a great lap that led him to conquer the front row alongside Antonelli.
The Ferraris are always there
What doesn’t change is Ferrari’s position, still not fast enough to be in front of everyone, but still competitive while waiting for the new engine which should finally allow Leclerc and Hamilton not to lose tenths on the straights. Nevertheless Charles Leclerc during the tests he always manages to improve, he still lacks the ability to precede everyone, but in such a balanced championship it can also be good to sail by sight while always remaining among the first. In Miami he finished third fastest after being the best in Q1 and Q2. Fooled at the last second by Verstappen’s great lap. Also Lewis Hamilton seems to benefit from the improvements of the SF-26 even if the Englishman always runs slower than the Monegasque. Tomorrow he will start from the third row alongside Russell having obtained the sixth best time. However, Mc Laren’s performance was inexplicable after the double in the Sprint: fourth place for Lando Norriif seventh for Oscar Piastri.
