Andrea Kimi Antonelli announced himself on the Formula 1 stage in spectacular fashion by claiming his first-ever pole position during Sprint Qualifying at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix.
The 18-year-old Italian, in just his sixth race weekend as a full-time Mercedes driver, delivered a composed and electric performance to beat out championship leader Oscar Piastri by just 0.045 seconds.
The result makes Antonelli the youngest polesitter in Formula 1 history across any format, and marks the first time this season that he has outqualified his more experienced team-mate George Russell.
“It all came together,” Antonelli told Le Mans legend Tom Kristensen after the session. “The last lap was mighty. I’m happy to get pole. Tomorrow’s going to be nice to start on the front row – it’ll be a bit of a different feeling.”
His benchmark of 1:26.482 was set late in the SQ3 session, following a flurry of improvements from the top contenders. Max Verstappen, fresh from becoming a father, initially held provisional pole before being eclipsed by Antonelli and both McLarens, with Piastri and Lando Norris locking out second and third respectively.
Verstappen will start fourth for Red Bull, ahead of Russell, who posted his lap earlier in the final shootout and couldn’t respond as the track evolved.
More from the Singapore GP
Catch up with Total Motorsport's latest Singapore GP coverage, including Max Verstappen's victory at Marina Bay, Ferrari's costly strategy gamble, the full race classification, and the updated 2026 Formula 1 Drivers' and Constructors' Championship standings.
Ferrari and Williams off the pace in final segment
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton will start from sixth and seventh for Ferrari, while Alex Albon continued his strong form by putting his Williams eighth. Impressive rookie Isack Hadjar claimed ninth for Racing Bulls, ahead of Fernando Alonso in tenth.
Nico Hulkenberg narrowly missed out on SQ3 for Sauber, finishing 11th, while the likes of Esteban Ocon, Pierre Gasly, and Liam Lawson were also eliminated in SQ2. Carlos Sainz endured a disappointing session, locking up on his final push lap and ending up 15th.
The biggest shock in SQ1 was Yuki Tsunoda, who failed to make it to the line in time for a final lap, leaving the Red Bull driver a lowly 18th. Jack Doohan and Ollie Bearman also bowed out early, with Lance Stroll and Gabriel Bortoleto joining them.
Antonelli’s rise has been carefully managed by Mercedes following their decision to promote him in place of Lewis Hamilton. After a relatively quiet start to the season, the Miami weekend Antonelli has finally showcased the raw pace and maturity the Silver Arrows saw in their young prospect to take pole for the F1 Sprint.
