Norris takes Miami Sprint Pole, ends Mercedes qualifying run

Lando Norris achieved his first pole of the 2026 season with a lap time of 1:27.869, breaking Mercedes' long qualifying streak.
By Newsroom | Formula 1, Miami |

McLaren's Norris Achieves First Pole of 2026 Season

In a significant shift on the Formula 1 circuit, Lando Norris has claimed pole position for the Miami Grand Prix Sprint race, ending Mercedes' unbroken run of qualifying successes this 2026 season. The McLaren driver's benchmark lap time of 1:27.869 secured his maiden pole of the year, underscoring the team's recent advancements.

Norris claims Sprint pole to end Mercedes run amid shake-up on F1's return - 1

Norris's pole marks the first time a non-Mercedes driver has started from the front of the grid in the 2026 season. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, qualified in second place, falling just over two tenths behind Norris's pace. His teammate, George Russell, secured sixth.

Norris claims Sprint pole to end Mercedes run amid shake-up on F1's return - 2

Qualifying Session Details

The Sprint Qualifying session saw drivers delay their fastest attempts until the closing moments. In SQ1, Norris led the field, narrowly edging out Ferrari's Charles Leclerc by a mere 0.010 seconds. McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton also featured prominently in the early stages.

Read More: McLaren takes pole for Miami sprint race, Piastri wins Grand Prix

Norris claims Sprint pole to end Mercedes run amid shake-up on F1's return - 3

The results from Sprint Qualifying SQ3 indicate that while Mercedes secured second and sixth with Antonelli and Russell, this performance is being interpreted as a potential short-term consequence of their diverging upgrade strategies.

Norris claims Sprint pole to end Mercedes run amid shake-up on F1's return - 4

Background and Broader Context

The Miami Grand Prix weekend has been marked by discussions surrounding potential rule adjustments, with Max Verstappen reportedly voicing several concerns. Furthermore, forecasts of severe thunderstorms have cast a shadow over the viability of completing the full Grand Prix schedule on Sunday.

In separate events this past weekend, Lando Norris also secured victory in a chaotic, rain-affected Miami Sprint race. This victory, achieved after starting from third, involved a strategic pit stop during a late Safety Car period, ultimately allowing him to finish ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri. This win represented Norris's first triumph since the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. Earlier reports noted that Norris had struggled in recent races, ceding the championship lead to Piastri.

Read More: Miami Grand Prix: Storms May Cause Delays on Sunday

Formula 1, a sport with a history spanning seven decades, is preparing for a 24-race season across five continents in 2026. The series has seen a multitude of legendary drivers and has evolved significantly from its initial six-race European and North American schedule in 1950.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who got pole position for the Miami Sprint race?
Lando Norris from McLaren got pole position for the Miami Grand Prix Sprint race. His best lap time was 1:27.869. This is his first pole of the 2026 season.
Q: Did Mercedes continue their pole position streak?
No, Lando Norris's pole position ended Mercedes' streak of getting pole in every race this 2026 season. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli qualified second, just over two tenths behind Norris.
Q: What happened in the Sprint Qualifying session?
In the Sprint Qualifying session, drivers waited until the end to set their fastest times. Norris was fastest in SQ1, beating Charles Leclerc by a very small amount.
Q: What is the background context for the Miami Grand Prix weekend?
The Miami Grand Prix weekend has also seen talk about possible rule changes and forecasts of bad weather, with thunderstorms possibly stopping the main Grand Prix race on Sunday.