Lando Norris claims pole position for sprint race at Miami Grand Prix

MIAMI GARDENS – Reigning world champion Lando Norris claimed pole position for Saturday’s sprint race at the Miami International Autodrome. He’ll start his McLaren alongside current Formula One championship leader, 19-year-old Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli on the front row for 19-lap race which starts at noon ET.

It was a strong sprint qualifying session late Friday afternoon for the McLaren team which has had a slow start to the season but has historically been strong in the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix. Norris’ fast lap was 1:27.869 around the 3.363-mile 19-turn circuit around Hard Rock Stadium.

He won the sprint race last year and his teammate Oscar Piastri is the defending Miami Grand Prix race winner. Piastri was third quickest Friday, followed by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and two-time Miami race winner, four-time world champion Max Verstappen for Red Bull.

“I’ve always loved Miami honestly,’’ said Norris, who scored his first career F1 victory in the 2024 Miami Grand Prix.

“This is a good result for us and still a long weekend, but a good way to start.

McLaren driver Lando Norris (1) during day one of practice before the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026 at Miami International Autodrome.

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“We’ve known this track has always been good to us and the team deserved that,’’ added Norris, whose title defense has lagged this season. He’s only ranked fifth in the championship standings with a meager 25 points after the first three races..