Lando Norris will start the 2026 F1 Miami Grand Prix Sprint from pole position.

A dominant effort in SQ3 landed the reigning world champion his first pole of the season, beating Kimi Antonelli to P1, with the world championship leader starting on the front-row. 

Oscar Piastri and Charles Leclerc slot in behind, with the third row being Max Verstappen and George Russell, with Lewis Hamilton seventh. 

Elsewhere, Aston Martin was required to request permission to race in the Sprint after both cars failed to set a time in SQ1.

Alex Albon ended the session in 14th, but was demoted five spots in strange circumstances after the session.

The FIA found he had breached track limits during SQ1 – but the infringement was missed in real time, meaning he advanced into SQ2. By the time the stewards were notified, he had already taken to the track for the second segment.

Check out the full grid for the 2026 F1 Miami Grand Prix Sprint below!

NOTE: Grid remains provisional until officially confirmed by the FIA. 

Max Verstappen believes that Red Bull’s wealth of upgrades for the Miami Grand Prix have so far “almost halved” the gap to the leaders, but still sees weaknesses in this year’s RB22 to work on.

Red Bull caught the eye with its own interpretation of the “Macarena” rear wing; when the active aero system is turned on for straight mode, the wing rotates around 180 degrees. Although Ferrari was first seen in testing with the device, Red Bull was adamant that it had its own version in development long before it was ever seen in the flesh. 

The team also has new sidepods, increasing their width from side-to-side to incorporate a waterslide-like ramp along the top surface to offer more direction to the airflow passing over the top. 

To satisfy the reprofiled sidepods, the engine cover and the floor have been reworked. Furthermore, the exhaust also appears to have a flap at the exit port to work in a similar way to Ferrari’s exhaust winglet seen earlier this season.

Giving his first verdict of the updated RB22, Verstappen felt that the car was “more together”; he took it to fifth on the grid for the Miami sprint race, just under 0.6s off Lando Norris’ pole time. By comparison, Verstappen missed the Q3 cut-off in Suzuka, having been 1.2s slower than Kimi Antonelli in Q2.

“It feels more together. Of course, there are still things that we are working on. But it’s been a really positive step for us. Last few races we were over a second behind. I would say we have almost halved that gap now,” Verstappen said.

“So that’s positive. We’re still very weak in the first sector, which is mainly high speed. So we know that we need to work on that.

“But, yeah, the rest seemed all a bit more together. So a bit happier with that. At least it seems like we have cleared a little bit the midfield.

“It feels a bit more normal. It’s still not where I want it to be, obviously. But it’s at least allowing me to trust it a bit more. And I can basically take a bit more lap time out of it.”

Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies told Sky Germany that the car’s new fittings were “in the right direction”, and that both drivers had agreed that the RB22 was now more consistent.

Although many of the updates had been targeted at aero load, Red Bull’s notes in the usual FIA technical document circulated to media stated that increasing flow stability was also key to its developments.

“It’s been a very intense five-week period. We know we had quite a lot of issues to get to the bottom of and I think that’s what the guys have done,” Mekies said.

“We knew coming here, especially after having run in Silverstone, [that] we had not solved everything. But pretty much we had the confirmation that we are going to the right direction. 

“It’s a closest gap to pole that we ever had this year. So, you know, don’t get me wrong. The competition is extremely strong. Everybody is progressing. 

“But also from the drivers comments from Max, for me, that it’s it’s something a bit more consistent, so definitely the direction of travel is better.”

Although Hadjar was also pleased to have a more competitive car, he was nonetheless puzzled by his one-second gap to Verstappen after sprint qualifying and could offer no explanation to the deficit.

“I got through SQ3, which is a start. But then to be a second off, I don’t know why.
I’ve never been more than a tenth off so far this year when it mattered,” Hadjar said. “So, yeah, I don’t know what’s going on.”

We want your opinion!

– The Motorsport.com Team

Exes Alix Earle and Braxton Berrios attended the same star-studded party ahead of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.

The TikTok star and NFL wide receiver were spotted interacting at the posh Sports Illustrated x Authentic Brands Group fête at The Surf Club Restaurant on Thursday night.

“The vibes were super friendly,” a spy told Page Six, adding, “They spoke briefly, but both of them were just doing their own thing.”

We’re told Earle, sporting a red minidress, was seen snapping photos with friends before settling into a corner booth with pals, including Authentic Brands Group CEO Jamie Salter.

Berrios, for his part, stayed low-key in an all-black ensemble and was overheard telling a friend that he was down to “do a lap.”

At the end of the evening, Earle was seen chatting with fellow influencer Xandra Pohl. The two social media stars were long-rumored to have had a falling out, though our source tells us they were getting along great and even walked out of the party together.

Elsewhere at the soirée, Kevin Hart was spotted pouring himself a glass of his own tequila brand, Gran Coramino, while vibing at his VIP table. Behind the velvet ropes and a group of several burly bodyguards, Hart was joined by singer Mario and Draymond Green.

“He was taking photos with fans and being so sweet with everyone,” the source said of the comedian.

Bethenny Frankel was also in tow with her new boyfriend, Shane L. Campbell.

The “Real Housewives of New York City” alum and the investment banker were seen being affectionate and staying close as they weaved through the bustling private affair.

Shaun White arrived at the event later in the evening and posted up by the bar, schmoozing with influencer Hannah Bronfman.

Serena Williams enjoyed the restaurant’s outdoor patio area as she gabbed with her entourage under a festive balloon display.

Earle, 25, and Berrios, 30, who started dating in early 2023, confirmed their breakup in December 2025.

In February, she opened up about how it was difficult running into her ex at the Palm Tree Music Festival, sharing in a TikTok, “I was really emotional the first night.”

“We were, like, in the same place, but we didn’t say ‘hi’ to each other, just ’cause I didn’t want to, like, go up and annoy him, I don’t know.”

Judging from their most recent interaction, it’s clear they are now in a place where they can be cordial with one another.

Following their split, Earle has since sparked dating rumors with Tom Brady, who was notably not at the party.

However, a source tells Page Six that she and the retired quarterback, 48, are just having “fun.”

Berrios, for his part, was spotted with model Hollie Ford at the Bird Streets Club in Los Angeles last month.