The FIA, Formula 1, and the Miami promoter made this decision after discussions regarding safety concerns. They expect heavier rainstorms closer to the original planned race start time.

Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the world championship and will be starting from pole position. He is part of a competitive field that includes drivers like George Russell, Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc.

The Miami Grand Prix has been part of the Formula 1 calendar since 2022. Mercedes has shown strong performance this season, winning the first three races of 2026.

Officials indicate that the change in start time aims to ensure driver safety and maintain race integrity. Fans can expect an exciting event as teams prepare for the altered schedule.

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Kimi Antonelli qualified second, just two tenths behind Norris. Oscar Piastri took third place, while Charles Leclerc, who had led the practice session, qualified fourth. Max Verstappen and George Russell rounded out the top six, with Lewis Hamilton in seventh despite showing faster times earlier in the weekend.

Key qualifying results:

• Lando Norris: 1:27.869 (pole)
• Kimi Antonelli: +0.222 seconds
• Oscar Piastri: +0.239 seconds
• Charles Leclerc: +0.370 seconds
• Max Verstappen: +0.592 seconds
• George Russell: +0.624 seconds

McLaren introduced significant upgrades for this race, which contributed to their performance. George Russell acknowledged the impressive leap made by both McLaren and Ferrari, stating, “Pretty surprising how big a jump McLaren and Ferrari made. That’s pretty damn impressive.” Lando Norris expressed satisfaction with his team’s efforts, saying, “I feel very good. I’m very happy for the team.” He also noted the hard work that went into bringing these upgrades to fruition.

Mercedes lagged behind in terms of upgrades compared to McLaren and Ferrari this weekend. The team had introduced fewer enhancements for the Miami GP, impacting their overall performance in qualifying.

Lance Stroll did not set a time due to an early spin during his lap. Fernando Alonso struggled with car issues that significantly slowed his time.

The format for qualifying in F1 2026 includes a total of 22 cars, with six eliminated in both SQ1 and SQ2 sessions. This structure adds intensity to each qualifying round as teams strive to secure their positions on the grid.

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