Kimi Antonelli managed to clinch second place during the Sprint Qualifying at the Miami International Autodrome, bringing much-needed relief to the Mercedes team after a challenging session. Antonelli’s performance was especially noteworthy given the difficulties faced with the W17, where he struggled to maintain pace throughout the day.
Before the weekend commenced, Antonelli had anticipated a tough battle due to significant updates introduced by rival teams such as McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull. The day proved to be even more demanding than expected for Mercedes, as technical problems disrupted their Free Practice plans, preventing Antonelli from utilizing the soft compound tires effectively.
During the initial grid-setting session, Mercedes found themselves in a tight contest with competitors, including reigning champion Lando Norris, who ultimately secured pole position. Despite issues with grip on medium tires, Antonelli’s decisive lap on the softs in SQ3 saw him secure a front-row start, just behind Norris, while teammate Russell ended up in sixth place.
Reflecting on the session, Antonelli admitted, “It was a pretty messy session. The car felt more responsive on the soft tires, but missing the chance to test them in FP1 was unfortunate. Nevertheless, I believe we did a great job recovering, and I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s race.”
Antonelli acknowledged the progress made by McLaren and Ferrari, noting their significant upgrades. However, he remains optimistic about Mercedes’ chances in the upcoming races, emphasizing their determination to contend for top positions throughout the weekend.
