Norris Takes Pole for Miami Sprint, Breaks Mercedes Streak

Lando Norris secured pole position for the Miami Grand Prix sprint, marking the first time in the 2026 Formula 1 season that a non-Mercedes driver will start from the front. The reigning world champion led a McLaren one-two in the final shootout, narrowly beating Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, while teammate Oscar Piastri completed the top three.

Why it matters:

This result breaks Mercedes' early-season stranglehold on the front row and signals a potential shift in the competitive order. McLaren's strong showing, with both cars ahead of the previously dominant Silver Arrows, suggests the Woking-based team has found a setup that works around the Miami International Autodrome. It also sets the stage for a fascinating intra-team battle at Mercedes, with the highly-touted Antonelli continuing to impress alongside George Russell.

The details:

• The session saw all 22 cars participate, but it was far from smooth for everyone. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll failed to set a time in SQ1 after locking up and stopping on track at the hairpin, ending his session prematurely.
• Fernando Alonso, in the other Aston Martin, had his sole lap time deleted for exceeding track limits, which would have placed him last among the drivers who set a time regardless.
• The final top ten for the sprint shootout was tightly contested, with less than two seconds covering Norris in first to Pierre Gasly in tenth.
• Notable performances included Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in fourth, splitting the McLarens and Mercedes, and Red Bull's Max Verstappen managing only fifth. Alpine's Franco Colapinto impressed to take eighth.
• Further down, the new Audi and Williams teams showed mixed pace, while Cadillac and Haas found themselves towards the back of the grid.

What's next:

All eyes now turn to the Sprint race itself, where Norris will aim to convert his pole into a victory and crucial championship points. The battle behind him, particularly between the McLaren of Piastri and the Mercedes of Antonelli, will be one to watch. This qualifying result also provides valuable data for teams ahead of the main Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday, where the stakes and race distances are even higher.