Formula 1: Teenager Antonelli impresses with poles for Miami sprint

Teenager Kimi Antonelli has stormed a pole position for the sprint race in Miami. The only 18-year-old Mercedes newcomer grabbed the best starting position for the short race over 100 kilometers on Saturday (6 p.m. CEST/Sky) in 1: 26.482 minutes.

At his first pole, the Italian made the World Cup leading Oscar Piatri in the McLaren for the tiny of 0.045 seconds in second place. Third was in the second McLaren Lando Norris, which was only 0.1 seconds on Antonelli. No driver has secured the pole for the sprint so young. The youngest driver in one Grand Prix is ​​Sebastian Vettel, who was 21 years old in 2008 in Monza.

Verstappen lands in fourth place

“It was a very intensive qualification. I felt really good since this morning and went in with a good feeling,” said Antonelli, who also set up a course record on the Miami International Autodrome. “I did everything right and I’m really happy to get the first pole.”

Jungpapa Max Verstappen had to be content with fourth place in the Red Bull. Record world champion Lewis Hamilton, who won the first sprint race of the year at the end of March in China, became seventh. For the only German driver in the field, Nico Hülkenberg, it was enough to go to position 11 in the kick.

Verstappen appeared in the paddock after his girlfriend Kelly Piquet daughter Lily gave him. “Fortunately, I was able to spend a few days with you after birth. It was great,” reported Verstappen, who has a close relationship with Pique’s eldest daughter Penelope and has already described himself as a “bonus dad”.

“This is a announcement”

After the sprint qualification, the widest grin on the face had Antonelli, who amazed the competition. “This is a announcement,” said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff about the performance of the youngster, who was the successor to Hamilton for this season.

Formula 1 introduced the sprint 2021 to give the Grand Prix weekend additional voltage. The winner gets eight points, the eighth a counter.