Rain Threatens to Shake Up Miami GP Sprint as Antonelli Makes History
The Miami GP is poised for an electrifying showdown as weather forecasts predict rain throughout the race, adding an unpredictable twist to the event. Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz reported, “It’s little patches of rain.”
“You can see it coming in with the red and yellow – that’s intense. What we’ve got at the moment is the green and the blue. It’s coming in from the south, and it is going to be west throughout the Sprint. Opportunities a plenty!” Kravitz added.
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Amidst the looming weather challenges, 18-year-old Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli made headlines by clinching pole position in the Sprint Qualifying session. With a lap time of 1:26.482, Antonelli edged out McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, becoming the youngest driver in F1 history to secure a pole position in any format.
The starting grid is set with Antonelli leading, followed by Piastri and Norris. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who recently announced the birth of his daughter Lily, will start from fourth position. Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc occupy the fifth and sixth spots, respectively.
Kimi Antonelli during Sprint Race Qualifying for the F1 Miami Grand Prix.Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
But just minutes before the formation lap, the downpour struck again—this time with consequences. Charles Leclerc, set to start from sixth on the grid, lost control and crashed on the saturated track. His stricken Ferrari had to be recovered by flatbed, leaving an empty slot where Leclerc should have lined up. The track was left absolutely sodden, despite F1 radar suggesting the rain would end in 10 minutes.
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Ferrari now face a desperate race against time to get his car repaired for the main qualifying session later today, adding another layer of tension to an already chaotic weekend.
As rain threatens to disrupt strategies and tire choices, teams and drivers must adapt swiftly to the changing conditions. The wet track could level the playing field, offering opportunities for unexpected contenders to shine.
As rain threatens to disrupt strategies and tire choices, teams and drivers must adapt swiftly to the changing conditions. The wet track could level the playing field, offering opportunities for unexpected contenders to shine.
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With the combination of a historic pole position by a young rookie and unpredictable weather conditions, the Miami GP Sprint promises to be a captivating spectacle for F1 fans worldwide.
Related: F1 Miami Grand Prix 2025: Full Weekend Schedule, Dates, and Key Times
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