Norris on Miami sprint pole as McLaren return to form

McLaren's Lando Norris became the first driver to beat a Mercedes in qualifying this year with sprint pole at the Miami Grand Prix.

The world champion beat Kimi Antonelli by 0.222 seconds with the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri third fastest.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was fourth, ahead of Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Mercedes' George Russell.

Lewis Hamilton was seventh in the second Ferrari, ahead of Argentine Franco Colapinto in the Alpine.

McLaren brought a major upgrade package to this race - along with most other teams, but not Mercedes.

McLaren did the same thing in Miami in 2024 and it turned Norris' season around.

This event is the first Formula 1 race for five weeks because of the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.

It is also the first race since the rule changes to the complicated engine-management regulations.

Briton Norris said: "Was great. Perfect result for us. Nice way to reward the team. We have a lot of new upgrades, nice to feel some grip again and nice reward for the guys and girls.

"Every track's different. This track has always been good for us, but we knew that what we were bringing was going to give us a good step, and it has. Since the first lap I felt comfortable, and I was like: 'oh, I've got a bit of rear grip'. It was nice.

"The lap was good, apart from one corner, 16 on to the back straight, completely missed it. I'm just happy to be back here."

It was Norris' first pole since Las Vegas last year, three races from the end of his championship season, and a suggestion - at the very least - that Mercedes may not have things all their own way this year, after all.

Italian Antonelli salvaged a good result for Mercedes after a difficult session.

The Mercedes car has often struggled in the heat, and the 32C temperatures did not seem to do it any favours.

But after not looking competitive for most of the session, Antonelli ensured he was the very last car to set a time in the final session, when the track would be at its grippiest, and it paid off.

Russell took the opposite route, running first and he ended up 0.4secs back from his team-mate, not an ideal result given he already has to make up nine points on Antonelli in the championship.

Ferrari and Red Bull also have major upgrade packages this weekend, and Red Bull's seem the more effective so far.

Fifth on the grid and 0.592secs from pole - even if it is a McLaren and not a Mercedes - counts as a good result in the context of a difficult start to the season.

Hamilton, who has started the season well, was 0.379secs off Leclerc in the final reckoning.

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