World champion Lando Norris became the first non-Mercedes driver to claim a pole position in the 2026 season as he put McLaren’s upgraded car at the front of the grid for Saturday’s Sprint at the Miami Grand Prix.
As Formula 1 returned to action after five weeks off track, the Mercedes-led pecking order seen at the season’s opening three rounds in March was shaken amid the introduction of an array of car upgrades among the leading teams.
And it was Norris, who has yet to finish higher than fourth in a Sprint or Grand Prix so far in his title defence, who produced the best lap at the end of Sprint Qualifying to seal his first pole of the year with the benchmark time of 1:27.869.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli took second, two tenths behind the flying McLaren, with his final attempt in the lead Mercedes, but team-mate George Russell struggled and was only sixth.
Mercedes have introduced fewer upgrades in Miami than McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull, with a bigger package of changes set to be introduced to their car at the next round in Canada later this month, but the turnaround in respective pace from the last race at Suzuka has hitherto been noticeable on day one in Miami.
“Pretty surprising how big a jump McLaren and Ferrari made. That’s pretty damn impressive,” said Russell.
“We knew they had probably closed the gap but all day they were quicker than us.”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
George Russell admits he was surprised by the improvements made by McLaren and Ferrari during qualifying for Miami Sprint.
Oscar Piastri took third to underline world champions McLaren’s return to form, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ending up fourth after he had topped the day’s only practice session and then impressively led the way in SQ2 to suggest he was the driver to beat for pole.
Max Verstappen beat Russell to fifth as Red Bull also showed improved form in the wake of significant upgrades to their car, with Lewis Hamilton seventh in the second Ferrari having trailed Leclerc by around 0.3s all day.
While Red Bull moved away from the midfield positions they occupied in China and Japan with Verstappen, Isack Hadjar lapped 0.8s slower and ended up only ninth between the Alpine duo of Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Miami GP schedule
Saturday May 2
2.55pm: F2 Sprint
4pm: Miami GP Sprint build-up
5pm: MIAMI GP SPRINT
6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
8pm: Miami GP Qualifying build-up*
9pm: MIAMI GP QUALIFYING*
11pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
The Miami Grand Prix is a unique experience, watch our favourite moments from the last few years!
Sunday May 3
5.25pm: F2 Feature Race
7pm: Miami GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
9pm: THE MIAMI GRAND PRIX*
11pm: Miami GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
12am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Miami for a Sprint weekend as the 2026 season resumes, watch live on Sky Sports F1 with Sunday’s Grand Prix at 9pm. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
