Sergio Perez on pole as Verstappen caught out in red-flagged Miami qualifying
Sergio Pérez claimed pole position for the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix as teammate Max Verstappen missed out when the session was red-flagged.
Sergio Perez celebrates his pole position in Miami. (Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)
Pérez had struggled on pace during practice but delivered on his first lap in qualifying around the Miami International Autodrome.
“I think it's been my worse weekend up to qualifying,” said Pérez.
“It wasn't coming together. I was struggling for balance and confidence. But now I have a great opportunity from pole."
"We are the ones that have something to lose but we will go out there and enjoy this amazing crowd."
Pérez set a lap time of 1:26.841, almost two seconds faster than Charles Leclerc's pole time in last year's event.
Sergio Perez on track on Saturday in Miami. (Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool)
Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen failed to set a lap in the opening part of qualifying and will start ninth for the grand prix. The championship leader set the fastest time of the day with a time of 1:26.814 in Q2 but was unable to set a second lap when the session was red-flagged.
Charles Leclerc was one of the first to start the final set of timed laps when he lost control through turn three, spinning out and hitting the barriers.
The red flag left the top ten mixed up after the first set of laps, with Fernando Alonso to start on the front row from second, with Carlos Sainz and Kevin Magnussen on the second row.
Saturday tyre analysis - click to expand. (Pirelli)
Pierre Gasly qualified fifth ahead of George Russell on a difficult day for Mercedes, with teammate Lewis Hamilton down in 13th.
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were 16th and 19th for McLaren, a disappointing result for the team who hoped to capitalise on their Baku upgrades. It was an unfortunate day as well for Logan Sargeant at his home grand prix, qualifying last on the grid in 20th.
The 2023 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix is underway at 5.30am Monday (AEST).
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2023 Formula 1 World Championship - Round 5 Miami Qualifying
- Sergio Perez
- Fernando Alonso
- Carlos Sainz
- Kevin Magnussen
- Pierre Gasly
- George Russell
- Charles Leclerc
- Esteban Ocon
- Max Verstappen
- Valtteri Bottas
- Alex Albon
- Nico Hulkenberg
- Lewis Hamilton
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Lando Norris
- Yuki Tsunoda
- Lance Stroll
- Oscar Piastri (AUS)
- Logan Sargeant
