The Sprint Qualifying results today from the Miami Grand Prix have provided the first glimpse of the competitive order at the Miami International Autodrome as Formula 1 continues with Lando Norris delivering a statement performance to take Sprint pole in Florida.
Norris ended Mercedes’ early-season dominance over one lap and putting McLaren at the front for the first time in 2026 After showing strong pace throughout the day, Norris produced a stunning final lap of 1:27.869 to beat Kimi Antonelli by 0.222 seconds, with Oscar Piastri completing a tight top three just 0.239 seconds off the pace.
Charles Leclerc, who had led earlier in the session, had to settle for fourth, while Max Verstappen rounded out the top five It marks a significant shift in the competitive order, with McLaren’s upgrade package appearing to close the gap to Mercedes in hot Miami conditions.
2026 Miami Grand Prix Sprint Qualifying Results
Here are the complete F1 Sprint Qualifying results from the Miami International Autodrome.
| Pos | Driver | Team | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:27.869 |
| 2 | Kimi Antonelli | Mercedes | +0.222 |
| 3 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | +0.239 |
| 4 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | +0.370 |
| 5 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | +0.592 |
| 6 | George Russell | Mercedes | +0.624 |
| 7 | Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | +0.749 |
| 8 | Franco Colapinto | Alpine | +1.451 |
| 9 | Isack Hadjar | Red Bull | +1.553 |
| 10 | Pierre Gasly | Alpine | +1.605 |
| 11 | Gabriel Bortoleto | Audi | — |
| 12 | Nico Hulkenberg | Audi | — |
| 13 | Oliver Bearman | Haas | — |
| 14 | Alexander Albon | Williams | — |
| 15 | Carlos Sainz | Williams | — |
| 16 | Arvid Lindblad | Racing Bulls | — |
| 17 | Liam Lawson | Racing Bulls | — |
| 18 | Esteban Ocon | Haas | — |
| 19 | Sergio Perez | Cadillac | — |
| 20 | Valtteri Bottas | Cadillac | — |
| 21 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | — |
| 22 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | — |
How Sprint Qualifying works in Formula 1
Sprint Qualifying follows a three-part knockout format, consisting of SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3, but with shorter sessions and strict tyre rules compared to standard qualifying.
SQ1 lasts 12 minutes and SQ2 runs for 10 minutes, with the slowest six drivers eliminated in each segment. The remaining top 10 then progress to SQ3, an eight-minute shootout that decides the Sprint grid.
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Unlike traditional qualifying, drivers must use medium tyres in SQ1 and SQ2, before switching to soft tyres in SQ3. With limited tyre allocations across a Sprint weekend, drivers effectively get just one push lap per segment, placing a premium on execution.
Norris delivers as track evolution shapes session
Track evolution and rising temperatures played a major role throughout the session, with grip improving rapidly as more rubber was laid down on the dusty street surface.
Early in SQ1, Leclerc set the pace ahead of Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton, while yellow flags caused by Lance Stroll disrupted several laps and left multiple drivers scrambling to recover. Liam Lawson was one of the biggest casualties, eliminated in 17th.
SQ2 brought tighter margins, with Leclerc briefly returning to the top before Russell set an early benchmark. However, Ferrari’s pace was evident, with Leclerc going nearly half a second clear at one stage. In the end, both Audi drivers fell short of the top 10, joining Oliver Bearman and Carlos Sainz on the sidelines.
The final SQ3 shootout proved decisive. Russell initially set the pace, but Norris responded with a dominant lap that no one could match. Piastri slotted into second before Antonelli, running last on track, split the McLarens to secure a front-row start.
Behind them, Verstappen could only manage fifth, while George Russell and Lewis Hamilton were pushed down to sixth and seventh respectively.
What it means for the Sprint and race weekend
Norris’ pole position puts McLaren in a prime position to control the Sprint, especially with Piastri also starting in the top three.
However, Antonelli’s pace suggests Mercedes remain firmly in the fight, while Ferrari’s strong long-run performance means Leclerc and Hamilton cannot be discounted over a longer distance.
With overtaking traditionally difficult in Miami, track position could prove decisive in the Sprint, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend.
FAQ: Miami GP Sprint Qualifying 2026
Lando Norris took Sprint pole with a lap of 1:27.869, McLaren’s first pole position of the 2026 season.
Sprint Qualifying is a shorter knockout format that sets the grid for the Sprint race, using medium tyres in SQ1 and SQ2 and soft tyres in SQ3.
Lando Norris starts from pole position alongside Kimi Antonelli on the front row.
