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In a breakthrough that will be etched in Formula 1 history, Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli became the youngest driver ever to clinch pole position, doing so with breathtaking composure in the sprint qualifying session of the Miami Grand Prix.
At just 18 years and 4 months old, Antonelli delivered a lap of supreme control and speed to edge out McLaren’s championship leader Oscar Piastri by a razor-thin 0.045 seconds. Lando Norris followed closely in third, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was just 0.055s off Norris’ time. Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell could only manage fifth, over three-tenths of a second adrift.
This marked the first time Antonelli outqualified Russell, a statement performance that hints at why Mercedes entrusted the Italian teenager to succeed the legendary Lewis Hamilton.
“I am over the moon,” Antonelli said, beaming after the session. “I did not expect it. I was feeling good in the car and could improve lap by lap. That consistency came together right at the end. We’ll enjoy this moment but I’m focused on tomorrow. I want to repeat this.”
Born in Bologna in August 2006, Antonelli has been part of the Mercedes driver development program since 2019 and has climbed the junior racing ladder with precision and patience. He dominated the Italian and ADAC Formula 4 championships in 2022 before impressing in Formula Regional and skipping Formula 3 altogether, a rare but bold move backed by Mercedes’ confidence in his raw talent.
Until Miami, Antonelli had adopted a cautious, methodical approach to his rookie season prioritising clean weekends over headline-grabbing performances. But under the sweltering Florida sun, he shed all restraint. From the moment practice began at the Hard Rock Stadium circuit, he looked sharp, assured, and fast.
After stepping out of the car, the moment turned emotional as Antonelli shared a tight embrace with his father Marco, a former touring car driver and founder of the AKM Motorsport team where Kimi took some of his first competitive steps.
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“It was really nice to find him in the garage after qualifying,” said Antonelli. “He’s like a rock. I can always rely on him. I’d love to share this with my mum and sister too, hopefully next time.”
With pole secured for the sprint race, Antonelli now has the golden opportunity to go one step further. A clean start could allow him to control the pace and chase a first career victory in just his fifth Formula 1 weekend. It’s an extraordinary feat for a driver who was still in high school last year.
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