• Kimi Antonelli becomes the youngest pole sitter in F1 history at just 18 years old.
• Antonelli achieved a lap time of 1:26.482, beating Oscar Piastri by 0.045 seconds.
• Max Verstappen and Lando Norris completed the top four in sprint qualifying.

In a historic performance, Mercedes' rookie Kimi Antonelli نے sprint qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix on Friday, becoming Formula One's youngest pole sitter at the age of 18. His impressive lap time of 1 minute 26.482 seconds secured him the pole position, narrowly edging out McLaren's championship leader Oscar Piastri by just 0.045 seconds. Lando Norris and Max Verstappen followed in third and fourth places, respectively, marking a notable day for Antonelli as he competes in only his sixth F1 race, according to Channel News Asia, BBC, Reuters, and SCMP.

Antonelli expressed disbelief at his achievement, stating, “The last lap was mighty. I put everything together. I’m really happy to get the first pole.” This success reflects the potential that Mercedes saw in him when they decided to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton with Antonelli for the season. The rookie's achievement is also a first for an Italian since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2009, according to BBC, Reuters, and SCMP.

The announcement of Antonelli's pole came as Verstappen celebrated the birth of his child, adding a personal milestone to the competitive atmosphere at the Miami International Autodrome. Other notable results included George Russell qualifying fifth and Lewis Hamilton, a previous sprint race winner, finishing in seventh place, as qualifying for the main event approaches, according to Channel News Asia and SCMP.