Teenager Antonelli grabs pole for Miami sprint race

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli powered to pole position in Friday's qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix sprint race, delivering a sizzling final lap.

The 18-year-old Antonelli stormed to the front of the grid for Saturday's race with a fastest lap of 1:26.482 to leave the McLaren pair of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris in second and third.

What a moment for Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes as the teenager makes history 🥳

He will start on pole in the #F1Sprint alongside Oscar Piastri at the #MiamiGP 🍿 pic.twitter.com/nam4lRaPS8

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) May 2, 2025

"It was a very intense qualifying. I felt really good since this morning and I felt good going into qualifying. I put everything together, so really happy to get the first pole," said the teenager.

"Tomorrow will be nice to start on the front row, will be a bit of a different feeling."

⚡️ Sets a new Miami track record
👶 Youngest pole-sitter in history

Kimi Antonelli with a performance he will never forget 💨#F1Sprint | #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/MS72jL7O76

— SuperSport 🏆 (@SuperSportTV) May 2, 2025

The rookie, who only passed his driving test in January, entered F1's record books last month when he became the youngest driver to lead a race, breaking a record held by Max Verstappen from back in 2016 in Japan.

Congratulations all around for Kimi! 👊🤝#F1 #F1Sprint #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/2hMLylCFWt

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 2, 2025

We can't wait! 🤩

Here's your exciting Sprint starting grid 👇#F1 #F1Sprint #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/9tijmsvAAz

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 2, 2025

Earlier, McLaren's championship leader Piastri was fastest in the opening practice session for Sunday's Grand Prix.

The Australian's fastest lap of 1:27.18 was 0.56 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc with Max Verstappen of Red Bull third quickest.

British driver Oliver Bearman of Haas spun and crashed into the barriers on turn 12 with the red flag bringing an end to the only practice session of the weekend.