By Mark Gero
They seemed like it would be a very tough season for them, especially after they won the drivers and constructor’s title last season. But after five weeks off and changing nearly the entire car, McLaren got their just reward on Friday for Sprint qualifying as Lando Norris returned with a 1:27:689 fastest time to grab pole ahead of series leader Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes with the second McLaren of Oscar Piastri in third.
“It was great. Perfect result and a nice way to reward the team,” said Norris
We’ve got a lot of new upgrades on the car – it’s nice to feel some grip again. It’s nice to reward the guys and the girls who have put a lot of work into it.
I’ve always loved Miami, both on and off the track. It’s a good result for us but it’s still the beginning of the weekend, still a long way to go, but it’s nice to kick it off by doing this.”
Leclerc was disappointing in fourth, while the Red Bull of Max Verstappen finished fifth with the Mercedes of George Russell sixth. The second Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton had a problem late in the session and ended up seventh, while the Alpine of Franco Colapinto had his best result so far, taking eighth. The second Red Bull of Isack Hadjar finished in ninth and his French countryman Pierre Gasly took tenth in the other Alpine.
Norris had the quickest time in the opening session, and it seemed like the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc, who won the morning and only practice session would take pole. But it was not to be as the Briton and defending world champion took advantage and clocked a superior time that no one could match.
It was a clean qualifying session throughout, with only the Aston Martin of Lance Stroll stopping on the backstretch after locking up his tires and having to wait for traffic that was behind him.
On Saturday, there will be two events as the sprint race will be in the morning, with the actual qualifying for Sunday’s race in the afternoon.
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