Breaking: Full starting grid for 2025 F1 Miami Grand Prix with Penalties App…read More

Verstappen on Pole as 2025 Miami Grand Prix Grid is Finalized Post-Penalties

The stage is set for the 2025 Miami Grand Prix following a dramatic and eventful Saturday at the Miami International Autodrome. With penalties applied and final qualifying results locked in, the starting grid for the sixth round of the Formula 1 season is complete. Max Verstappen will lead the field from pole position, determined to bounce back from a penalty-ridden sprint race earlier in the weekend.

Verstappen Rebounds with Pole After Sprint Penalty

Max Verstappen shrugged off a challenging sprint race, in which he received a 10-second time penalty for an unsafe release into the path of Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli. Despite that setback, the reigning World Champion delivered a stellar qualifying lap with a time of 1:26.204, narrowly edging out Lando Norris by just 0.065 seconds. Verstappen’s ability to regroup and execute under pressure once again proved why he remains the benchmark in modern Formula 1.

Lando Norris, who won the sprint race earlier in the day with teammate Oscar Piastri completing a McLaren 1-2, continued to show impressive pace. Though he came close to his second career pole, the Brit will line up second on the grid, still in strong position to challenge Verstappen into Turn 1.

Antonelli Impresses Again in Rookie Season

One of the standout stories of the weekend is Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who continues to turn heads in his debut season. The young Italian delivered a stunning qualifying performance, placing third and outpacing both his more experienced teammate George Russell and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Antonelli’s performances in both the sprint and qualifying sessions have elevated expectations within Mercedes and throughout the paddock.

Piastri will start fourth, followed by Russell in fifth as the Mercedes intra-team rivalry begins to intensify.

Williams Strong in Top 10, Ferrari Falters

Williams continues its upward trajectory in 2025, with both drivers securing top 10 grid spots. Carlos Sainz qualified sixth, showing consistency and leadership, while Alex Albon starts seventh, underlining the strength of the team’s current car package.

Meanwhile, Ferrari endured another frustrating Saturday. Charles Leclerc could only manage eighth, citing grip issues in the final sector. Lewis Hamilton struggled with changing track conditions and traffic during Q2, resulting in a disappointing 12th-place start.

Haas, Red Bull, and Midfield Contenders

Esteban Ocon delivered a solid lap to qualify ninth for Haas, a boost for the American team on home soil. Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top 10 after a consistent showing. Further down, Isack Hadjar (11th), Gabriel Bortoleto (13th), Jack Doohan (14th), and Liam Lawson (15th) all fell just short of Q3 but continue to show promise in the midfield.

Surprises at the Back

A number of big names failed to advance past Q1. Nico Hulkenberg, Fernando Alonso, Pierre Gasly, Lance Stroll, and Ollie Bearman make up the bottom five. Alonso’s Aston Martin lacked pace all weekend, while Bearman couldn’t stitch together a clean lap despite earlier signs of competitiveness.

Final Grid Set With No Major Changes Post-Penalties

Despite Verstappen’s time penalty in the sprint, no grid drops were issued following qualifying. The grid for Sunday’s race reflects pure qualifying pace, setting the stage for a thrilling race with tight margins and plenty of overtaking potential.

Provisional Starting Grid – 2025 Miami Grand Prix

1. Max Verstappen

2. Lando Norris

3. Kimi Antonelli

4. Oscar Piastri

5. George Russell

6. Carlos Sainz

7. Alex Albon

8. Charles Leclerc

9. Esteban Ocon

10. Yuki Tsunoda

11. Isack Hadjar

12. Lewis Hamilton

13. Gabriel Bortoleto

14. Jack Doohan

15. Liam Lawson

16. Nico Hulkenberg

17. Fernando Alonso

18. Pierre Gasly

19. Lance Stroll

20. Ollie Bearman

With Verstappen on pole and multiple drivers poised to climb through the field, Sunday’s 57-lap race promises strategic battles and high-speed action under the Miami sunshine.