Max Verstappen was delighted to grab pole position in Qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix, with the Red Bull driver admitting that he “just floored it” through a potentially dicey moment during his final flying run.
After setting the early pace in Q1, Verstappen continued to progress from there and provisionally took pole during the first laps of Q3. The Dutchman then had a wobble into Turn 1 as he embarked on his last effort, seemingly putting his P1 in danger – before impressively setting purple sectors to go fastest of all despite the error.
READ MORE: Verstappen surges to pole position ahead of Norris and Antonelli in Miami GP Qualifying
Reflecting back on the session after jumping out of the car, Verstappen spoke positively about the trajectory he enjoyed throughout Qualifying on his way to claiming his third pole position of the season.
Verstappen clinched his third pole position of the season so far in Miami
“It’s been a great Qualifying,” said Verstappen, who became a father for the first time just before arriving into Miami. “I think we improved the car a tiny amount which helped me to rotate it a bit better and honestly, Q1, Q2, Q3, just improving every run really, trying to find a bit more the limit.
“I had a tiny moment on my final lap into Turn 1 so I lost a bit of time there, but around here it’s very complicated with the tyres over a lap. But in the end it worked out well, so I’m very happy of course to be on pole.”
HIGHLIGHTS: Watch the Qualifying action from Miami as Verstappen secures spectacular pole position
Asked about that first corner moment and how he had the confidence to drive through it, the 27-year-old commented: “I mean you can back out of it but it’s Qualifying, so I corrected and just floor[ed] it out of the corner.”
Qualifying Highlights: 2025 Miami Grand Prix
Rain hit the Miami International Autodrome earlier on Saturday, resulting in a dramatic wet-dry Sprint in which Verstappen received a 10-second time penalty for an unsafe release in the pit lane and subsequently dropped out of the points.
With the possibility of further showers arriving on race day, Verstappen suggested that there are some unknowns about the prospects heading into Sunday.
“Let’s see, race pace I don’t know, we have to wait and see about the weather,” the four-time World Champion said. “It’s the best starting position, that’s always positive. In the race it’s a whole different story, but we’ll try to maximise everything we can.”
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