Miami GP Sprint Starting Grid | Norris on pole, second change down the grid

The defending world champion stormed to pole position on Friday in Sprint Qualifying. Norris was the only driver to set a lap time under 1:29.000. Mercedes was not as dominant as during the first three rounds of the season, but the team still has a driver on the front row thanks to Kimi Antonelli. Oscar Piastri rounded off the top three, with Charles Leclerc joining them on the second row as the lead Ferrari.

The third row consists of old rivals Max Verstappen and George Russell. The Dutchman and Red Bull were encouraged by their performance after finishing inside the top five on Friday afternoon. Lewis Hamilton will start seventh, with Franco Colapinto lining up alongside the seven-time world champion. Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly complete the fifth row.

Alexander Albon originally finished 14th in SQ2, but the Thai-British driver has been relegated to P19. This is because he progressed to the second session with a lap that exceeded track limits, although this was only discovered once SQ2 had already begun.

On Saturday afternoon, the FIA then announced that Racing Bulls' Arvid Lindblad will start from the pit lane following a Parc Ferme infringement. Esteban Ocon, Sergio Perez, Albon, Valtteri Bottas, Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll will all therefore be bumped up a place for the Sprint.

Aston Martin had another difficult session on Friday, with both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll unable to set competitive lap times. However, both drivers have been granted permission by the stewards to take part in Saturday’s Sprint.