The Mexican driver Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez (Red Bull) has achieved this Friday the ‘pole position’ of the Miami Grand Prix, fifth round of the Formula 1 World Championship, ahead of the Spanish Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) and Carlos Sainz (Ferrari), all three favored by an accident by Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) a minute and a half after finishing Q3.
On the asphalt of the Miami International Speedway, the Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull) gave his opponents no choice, having dominated in the three qualifying rounds. However, Leclerc’s mishap caused a red flag and the race was no longer resumed, leaving Pérez’s record as the fastest.
His best lap in 1:26.841 served ‘Checo’ to lead that final and eventful Q3; Alonso was 0.361 behind first place and Sainz 0.508, followed by Danish Kevin Magnussen (Haas) in fourth place and Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpine) in fifth. Verstappen himself will start on the Sunday grid from ninth place.
Before that red flag in Q3, the surprise had been in the elimination of the British Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) during Q2, based on his thirteenth position. Alexander Albon (Williams), Nico Hulkenberg (Haas), Guanyu Zhou (Alfa Romeo) and Nyck de Vries (AlphaTauri) were the other drivers cut in that second stint.
In Q1, Lando Norris (McLaren), Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri), Oscar Piastri (McLaren) and Logan Sargeant (Wlliams) along with Lance Stroll had been eliminated, showing the bitter face of Aston Martin. However, Alonso then made his team smile.
1.- Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
2.- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
3.- Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
4.- Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
5.- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
6.- George Russell (Mercedes)
7.- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
8.- Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
9.- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
10.- Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo)