Lando Norris became the first non-Mercedes driver to secure pole position this season at the Miami Grand Prix. This achievement occurred during the qualifying sessions on May 3, 2023, at the Miami International Autodrome. The sprint race will take place on May 2, starting at 17:00 BST.
Key statistics:
- Norris was 0.222 seconds quicker than Kimi Antonelli during qualifying.
- The sprint race consists of 19 laps, while the main race is set for 57 laps.
- Mercedes has dominated early in the season, winning the first three races.
Kimi Antonelli, who is currently leading the drivers’ championship by nine points over George Russell, commented on the session’s challenges. He stated, “It was a pretty messy session.” Meanwhile, George Russell noted a surprising advancement in McLaren and Ferrari’s performance: “Pretty surprising how big a jump McLaren and Ferrari have made.”
The Miami weather is also a factor this weekend. Temperatures are expected to reach 34 degrees Celsius during the sprint race. Charles Leclerc mentioned that everyone brought upgrades, emphasizing that it contributed to the competitive landscape: “The upgrades are fine. It’s just everybody brought upgrades.”
Norris secured his first Formula 1 victory at this venue two years ago. His latest pole position reflects McLaren’s ongoing development and competitive spirit this season.
