Miami GP qualifying shakeup and race day outlook
Mexican driver Sergio Perez, known as Checo, will line up on pole position for Sunday after clinching top qualifying time at the Miami Grand Prix. The pole came amid a dramatic session that ended with Charles Leclerc forcing a stoppage after a red flag, a moment that reshaped the final running order and left the field chasing Perez’s record pace. The atmosphere around the track was electric as Perez held off Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, who finished close behind in second and third respectively.
Max Verstappen delivered a commanding pace on the Miami International Speedway asphalt, topping all three qualifying rounds for Red Bull and signaling that the defending champion was in prime form. Yet Leclerc’s misfortune and the red flag altered the narrative, allowing Perez to remain fastest when the session resumed. The passing moments of the session will be remembered as a turning point that amplified the tension ahead of Sunday’s race.
[Season schedule reminder: Formula 1 calendar]
Perez’s best flying lap stood at 1 minute 26.841 seconds, a time that earned him pole and set the tone for a weekend full of potential drama. Alonso followed in second place, 0.361 seconds behind, with Sainz a further 0.508 seconds back. In a solid push, Kevin Magnussen from Denmark qualified fourth for Haas, while Pierre Gasly of France completed the top five for Alpine. Verstappen, despite his strong pace, will start from the third row, lining up ninth on the grid for Sunday’s race.
Before the red-flag moment in Q3, there were surprises around the second phase of qualifying. Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes was eliminated earlier than many expected, finishing thirteenth, while Alexander Albon, Nico Hulkenberg, Guanyu Zhou and Nyck de Vries all missed the cut in the second session. The results added an intriguing layer to the weekend, highlighting the unpredictable nature of street circuit racing.
[World Formula 1 standings update]
In the opening Q1 phase, several notable names fell short of securing a top spot. Lando Norris and Yuki Tsunoda did not advance, along with Oscar Piastri and Logan Sargeant, while Lance Stroll’s performance added to Aston Martin’s mixed day. Nevertheless, Alonso’s late charge offered a bright note for his team as the session concluded and the grid took form for the main event.
As the clock wound down, the Miami track prepared to host a race that would test both speed and strategy. By 9:30 pm local time, the grid was in place, and teams prepared to push their cars to the limit in pursuit of victory on the famous street course that unfolds through downtown Miami.
Where can fans watch the Miami GP classification?
Fans who cannot attend in person can still catch all the action live on television. For Spanish fans, the broadcast partners for Formula 1 have traditionally included regional providers, with deals that may vary by year. In many markets, live coverage is available on dedicated sports channels, while some regions offer live streaming options behind a paywall. Access to the full classification and race commentary is typically provided through official broadcast partners and their streaming services, with post-session highlights and analysis available afterward. [Broadcast partner announcements and schedule are issued by official Formula 1 communications.]
Miami GP race schedule and kickoff details
Date and time details for race day are listed to help fans plan their viewing. The race is scheduled for late evening local time, aligning with other major events that weekend. Viewers should confirm the exact start time in their regional time zone to avoid missing the opening laps or any late drama on track.
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Race start time is set for 21:30 CET.