Sergio Pérez has secured pole position in Formula 1 for the Miami Grand Prix and significantly increased the pressure on Max Verstappen - because the world champion will only start Sunday's race from ninth place (21:30 CEST in the F.A.Z. live ticker for Formula 1 and on Sky).
In the decisive section of qualifying, Verstappen initially spoiled the first fast lap due to a driving error. He was not granted a second one because the session ended prematurely due to an accident involving Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, who hit the barrier with his rear, but emerged from his SF-23 unharmed. Already in the second practice session on Friday, the Monegasque had pushed it too far in the limit area and put his Ferrari in the wall.
Alonso on two, Magnussen fourth
Pérez, on the other hand, had shown a strong first lap, setting the fastest lap in 1:26.841 minutes and thus has a good chance of taking the championship lead for the first time. With a win on Sunday, he would be at the top, currently his gap to Verstappen is six points. "It was my worst weekend until qualifying," Pérez admitted afterwards. "We made a small change and experimented a bit and that turned on the car."
Behind Pérez, Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin and Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz will start from second and third place. Kevin Magnussen in the Haas took advantage of the confusion for a strong fourth place on the grid.
His team-mate Nico Hülkenberg also had a very good chance of making it into the top 10, but slowed down in the second qualifying section and lost decisive tenths, ultimately enough for 12th place on the grid.
Mercedes "just too slow"
It's already been a disappointing weekend for Mercedes. George Russell made it into the last qualifying segment and finished sixth, record world champion Lewis Hamilton struggled in the face of 13th place. "I have to bite my teeth tomorrow and see what I can achieve," said the Briton at Sky. "The car is just too slow," said Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.
Pérez, on the other hand, won the sprint and the Grand Prix in Baku last weekend and could now add to his tally, as it didn't look like in the Miami practice sessions. Verstappen's performances were confident, and so was qualifying – until his driving error put him in a bad position. The weather is causing a few uncertainties for everyone involved: there could be rain before the start on Sunday.