The Formula 1 Miami GP Sprint classification had a remarkable turnaround. Lando Norris went from a difficult performance in SQ2 to securing pole position in the Sprint race.
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The McLaren driver faced difficulties throughout the session, being about a second behind in SQ2. Even so, he managed to advance to SQ3 and turn the situation around with a decisive lap, securing the best time on the starting grid for the short race on Saturday.
“It was quite difficult. My SQ2 was really bad, I was about a second behind,” said Norris. The lack of confidence raised doubts about the strategy for SQ3, especially between attempting one or two fast laps. “I was debating whether to do one or two laps, but my engineer said: ‘Let’s do one lap’,” he said.
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The choice proved to be right and ensured the maximum result for the team. Norris highlighted the collective work to get the car in the ideal window right on the decisive attempt. He also finished two tenths ahead of Kimi Antonelli from Mercedes, who starts alongside him on the front row.
Even having secured pole, the Briton acknowledged that the lap was not perfect. A mistake in turn 16 compromised part of the performance, in addition to the difficult conditions with wind on the circuit. Still, Norris celebrated the result as the best way to start the weekend: “It was a good lap, despite a mistake, and it’s the perfect way to start,” he concluded.
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