Max Verstappen saw off Charles Leclerc’s challenge in Miami Grand Prix Qualifying to claim a seventh successive Formula 1 pole position.
As had been the case in Friday’s Sprint Qualifying, the top 10 struggled to find improvement in the final part of the session but Red Bull’s Verstappen had done enough with a time of 1:27.241 on his first flying lap in Q3.
Verstappen, whose world championship lead grew to 27 points as he won the Sprint earlier on Saturday, extended his career-best streak of poles to move within one of Ayrton Senna’s all-time record of eight.
While Verstappen is well placed to claim his fifth win in six races this season as he chases a fourth successive drivers’ title, the fact that Leclerc’s Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz beat the other Red Bull of Sergio Perez to third could provide the Scuderia duo with a strategic advantage on Sunday.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Max Verstappen makes it seven poles in a row for him and Red Bull as he takes pole ahead of Charles Leclerc in Miami
Lando Norris took fifth in his upgraded McLaren ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri, with Mercedes duo George Russell and Lewis Hamilton seventh and eighth, respectively.
Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg and RB’s Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top 10 after both Aston Martins were surprisingly knocked out in Q2, with Fernando Alonso only managing 15th.
Tsunoda’s RB team-mate Daniel Ricciardo was unable to build on an impressive fourth in the Sprint as he qualified 18th, and will start last due to a three-place grid penalty given to him following an incident in the Chinese Grand Prix two weeks ago.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Miami GP schedule
Sunday May 5
6.05pm: F1 Academy Race 2
7.30pm: Grand Prix Sunday Miami GP build-up*
9pm: The MIAMI GRAND PRIX*
11pm: Chequered Flag: Miami GP reaction*
Midnight: Ted’s Notebook*
*also live on Sky Sports Main Event
Ad content | Stream Sky Sports on NOW
Stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW. Instant access to live action from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England Cricket, Tennis, Darts and so much more.