Kimi Antonelli admitted he was under significant pressure during the closing stages of Miami Grand Prix qualifying after a mistake on his final Q3 run nearly cost him pole position for Mercedes. However, his initial lap proved sufficient to secure a third consecutive pole.
Antonelli dominated the opening phase of Q3, building a margin of over three tenths to his closest rivals. But on his second attempt, he locked up at Turn 1, forcing him to abort the lap and leaving the door open for competitors to challenge his benchmark.
"I got a bit too excited on the final lap of Q3, and that cost me the chance to improve."
From a technical perspective, the lock-up highlights the narrow margins in qualifying conditions. Front tyre locking compromises temperature and grip, often making it impossible to complete a competitive lap, especially at circuits requiring precision braking.
Max Verstappen was the only driver able to close the gap, reducing the deficit to under two tenths, but it was not enough to deny Antonelli pole position.
"I was very stressed waiting for everyone to finish their laps, but in the end the first lap was enough."
The result marks a strong recovery for Antonelli after a difficult sprint race, reinforcing his qualifying consistency as a key strength in the championship fight.
Attention now turns to race execution, particularly the start phase, where Antonelli has struggled in recent events. Improving this aspect will be crucial in converting pole into victory.
"We hope for a better start and not to lose positions. That will be key."
With rivals closing in and pressure mounting, the Miami Grand Prix will serve as a critical test of Antonelli’s ability to maintain consistency and strengthen his position in the 2026 title battle.
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