Teen F1 driver Antonelli claims pole in Miami ahead of revised start time

Miami Grand Prix Qualifying Session Postponed Due to Weather Forecast

The Miami Grand Prix has rescheduled its start time to 17:00 GMT on Sunday due to an expected heavy rainstorm in the area. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the event, which was initially set to take place at 20:00 GMT.

Antonelli, a 19-year-old Italian driver, achieved a fastest lap of one minute 27.798 seconds during qualifying on Saturday. He edged out Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc in his Ferrari to claim the top spot on the grid.

The change in start time was made by officials due to the forecast of extreme weather conditions, including potential thunderstorms. The FIA, commercial rights holders, and local promoters worked together to adjust the schedule to minimize disruption to the event and prioritize driver safety.

Other drivers secured positions on the grid, with Lando Norris starting from fourth place in his McLaren, George Russell fifth in his Mercedes, and Lewis Hamilton seventh in his Ferrari. Oscar Piastri and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top eight spots.

In a statement, officials explained that the decision was made to ensure the best possible conditions for the event and minimize disruption to the teams and fans. The Miami Grand Prix is scheduled to take place on Sunday at 17:00 GMT.

Source: Al Jazeera