Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli continues his strong form with the Miami Grand Prix Pole

Formula 1 is back after an unexpected one-month break due to the war in the Middle East, and somehow the series has reunited in Miami, right where we were and not where we were, if that makes sense.

It may not be, but I will explain.

For the first three races, there were two dominant teams: Mercedes and Ferrari. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has also won two straight Grand Prix going into Miami, and is the current championship leader.

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However, the teams brought a huge number of improvements – and the FIA ​​and F1 adjusted the rules a bit after the feedback of the team – and suddenly, we have many teams fighting to go forward.

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This was highlighted in Saturday morning’s Sprint, which featured McLaren 1-2, led by reigning world champion Lando Norris.

But the biggest shakeup came in qualifying.

While the 19-year-old Silver Arrows star took the reins around tenth and a half, surprisingly he was battling Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Red Bull have struggled in the first three rounds of the season and, to Verstappen’s surprise during his post-session interview, have been fighting for the title.

Even with Wilder, there are four different teams represented on the first two rows of the grid: Mercedes with Antonelli on pole, Red Bull and Verstappen in P2, Ferrari and Charles Leclerc in P3 and McLaren and Norris in P4.

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli (centre) with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (left) and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc after qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix. (Photos by Sam Navarro-Imagn)

Now, all eyes will be on the start of what is expected to be a wet race.

The start has been the Achilles heel for Mercedes, and especially Antonelli this season, something that was seen on Saturday morning during the Sprint.

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Fortunately for him, Verstappen’s start didn’t go much better, though unfortunatelystarting behind Antonelli is Charles Leclerc’s Ferrari, and the Scuderia’s cars have been absolutely rockets off the line all season (indeed since pre-season testing).

So even with the short distance going into Turn 1 at the Miami International Autodrome, less than 200 meters, I think we’ll see Leclerc jump at least one, maybe both, of the cars on the front row.

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli celebrates winning the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix. (Photos by Sam Navarro-Imagn)

Perhaps the wet weather could reduce that advantage for Ferrari when the lights go out, but even if it does, Antonelli has Verstappen – a wet weather boyfriend – by his side.

Antonelli’s best chance of his third Grand Prix will be best if he can get off the line cleanly and stay out of Turn 1, but either way, this is shaping up to be the biggest challenge of his competitive campaign so far.