In a breathtaking display of skill and composure, 18-year-old Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli etched his name into Formula 1 history by securing pole position for the 2025 Miami Grand Prix Sprint race on Friday, May 2, 2025. With a blistering lap time of 1:26.482, Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in any F1 race format, shattering a record previously held by Sebastian Vettel since 2008.
The Italian prodigy, competing in just his sixth Grand Prix weekend, outpaced McLaren’s Oscar Piastri by a mere 0.045 seconds and teammate Lando Norris by 0.100 seconds to claim the top spot for Saturday’s 19-lap Sprint race at the Miami International Autodrome. Antonelli’s remarkable performance on a track he had never driven before Friday left the F1 paddock in awe and underscored his potential as a future star.
“It was a very intense qualifying,” Antonelli said after the session. “I felt really good since this morning and confident going into qualifying. The last lap was mighty, and I put basically everything together. I’m really happy to get the first pole.”
Antonelli’s journey to this historic moment has been meteoric. Replacing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2025 season, the teenager has faced immense pressure but has consistently impressed with his poise and speed. His pole lap, described as “stunning” by commentators, eclipsed the previous unofficial track record set by Max Verstappen in 2023, marking the fastest lap in the Miami Grand Prix’s four-year history.
The qualifying session was a thrilling affair, with rapid track evolution pushing drivers to their limits in the decisive SQ3 phase. Antonelli led after the first runs, and despite a crowded track, he delivered a flawless second lap to secure pole. Piastri, the current championship leader, admitted a lock-up in the final corner cost him the top spot but praised Antonelli’s performance. “P2 is still a good result, and we can fight from there in the Sprint,” Piastri said.
Behind the top three, new father Max Verstappen qualified fourth for Red Bull, followed by Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate George Russell in fifth. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the top seven, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive Sprint race.
Antonelli’s achievement was deeply personal as well. After climbing out of his car, he shared an emotional embrace with his father, Marco, in the Mercedes garage. “It was really nice to find him in the garage after qualifying,” Antonelli said. “He’s like a rock. I can always rely on him.” He also expressed a desire to share the moment with his mother and sister, hinting at more milestones to come.
The F1 community on social media erupted with excitement. One fan posted, “KIMI ON TOP! Antonelli produces a simply stellar drive in only his second session at Miami to take Sprint Pole.” Another hailed Mercedes’ decision to promote the rookie, stating, “Toto Wolff’s gamble to replace Hamilton with Antonelli is looking like a brilliant move.”
Antonelli’s pole not only highlights his raw talent but also marks a significant moment for Mercedes, who have backed the Italian since 2019. His previous records—set at the Japanese Grand Prix as the youngest driver to lead a race and set the fastest lap—further cement his status as a generational talent.