Antonelli did not 'expect' Verstappen to fight for pole in Miami GP qualifying

The Italian delivered a stunning lap to secure pole position despite only completing a single flying run, having been forced to abort his second attempt after making a mistake during the lap. However, the four-time world champion was not far behind, snatching a front-row start at the last moment - a hugely valuable result considering where Red Bull stood as recently as Suzuka.

Antonelli admitted Mercedes had not expected Verstappen to be in the fight at the front, pointing to Red Bull’s major upgrades and the Dutchman’s ability to extract everything possible from the car. The Italian also revealed Mercedes had struggled more than usual throughout the weekend, particularly with balance, before making key setup changes ahead of qualifying.

Verstappen admitted both Red Bull’s struggles and his own lack of confidence with the car’s balance had played a major role in the difficult start to the season. The Dutchman explained he had never truly felt comfortable with the overall layout of the RB22, but praised the team for pushing hard in recent weeks to introduce upgrades and improve the feeling behind the wheel.

According to him, the changes made by Red Bull are now finally starting to deliver results, allowing him to feel more in control of the car and attack with greater confidence. The four-time world champion also admitted that securing a front-row start in Miami exceeded his expectations heading into the weekend.

Looking ahead to the race, the Dutchman highlighted the importance of finally making a strong launch after several problematic starts earlier this season. He also pointed to the uncertain weather forecast surrounding Sunday’s Grand Prix, while remaining encouraged by the progress Red Bull has made.