Lewis Hamilton says Formula 1’s GP in Las Vegas will be ‘epic’
Sergio Perez took a surprise pole position for the Miami Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc’s late crash resulted in a red flag to leave Max Verstappen ninth on the grid – while Lewis Hamilton endured another sobering evening in his unruly Mercedes.
Fernando Alonso joins Perez on the front row following another impressive display by the evergreen Spaniard, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz third.
Kevin Magnussen qualified fourth for Haas ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Russell. Leclerc, who broke his rear wing in the accident at Turn 8, qualified seventh.
Hamilton ended Q2 in P13, an eye-watering 1.1 seconds off the pace and two tenths down on team-mate Russell. Hamilton, who returned to the pits shaking his head, took aim at Mercedes for leaving him with too much to do at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Sergio Perez claimed pole position – follow all the reaction with The Independent:
F1 QUALIFYING – MIAMI GRAND PRIX
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Lewis Hamilton, after a disastrous P13:
“It was a difficult session. We’re not that quick, needed perfect laps, difficult to get into a rhythm. I had a couple of decent moments, Q1 end. But we’re at the back end of the top-10 and on that last one, last in the pack, I lost temperatures in the tyres – couldn’t do the lap.
“When you’re fast, you can sit back more relaxed. Take your time. We know that it’s very hard, 50/50 chance of getting into Q3. But anyways, it’s done. Get my head down tomrrow and see what I can do.
“P13 to god knows where.”
Kieran Jackson6 May 2023 22:47
George Russell, after qualifying P6:
“I’ll take the result, flattering for the performance we showed. Q2 scraped through, that’s not where we should be. Everyone’s working so hard to bring performance to the car, certainly not through a lack of action. Few questions that need answering.
“We have a better Sunday than Saturday. We will focus on tomorrow but we need to think about the bigger picture and bring that fight to the guys in the top.”
Kieran Jackson6 May 2023 22:39
Max Verstappen, speaking after P9:
“That was definitely a mistake of mine, put it on the limit, made a mistake and had to abort the lap. A bit upset with myself.
“I made it difficult with myself. Minimum P2. There are of course a few cars between us [me and Checo].”
Kieran Jackson6 May 2023 22:32
Sergio Perez, after putting his Red Bull on pole!
“Worst weekend up until qualifying, just resetting everything. We did a small change and everything became alive. We put the lap in when it mattered.
“Starting on pole, we have something to lose. We’ll try and enjoy it out there in front of this amazing crowd.”
Crowd ecstatic with the Mexican on pole!
Kieran Jackson6 May 2023 22:16
Fernando Alonso, after finishing P2:
“It was a good qualifying. The car came alive, extremely happy with P2. First row of the grid.
“So enjoyable to drive. You go quite close to the walls so you need that confidence to attack qualifying, very pleased.
“We need an eye on the weather tomorrow.”
(Getty Images)
Kieran Jackson6 May 2023 22:10
Sergio Perez is on pole position for the Miami Grand Prix!
“For f*** s***” screams Max Verstappen over the team radio! Nightmare for the championship leader!
So, confirmed top-10: Perez, Alonso, Sainz, Magnussen, Gasly, Russell, Leclerc, Ocon, Verstappen, Bottas
“I’m sorry guys, I’m sorry,” says Leclerc over team radio! Has he damaged his gearbox in his Ferrari?
Kieran Jackson6 May 2023 22:02
Charles Leclerc crashes!
Oh no! Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc is in the wall for the second time this weekend!
Red flag! With 1:36 left! That means the grid should be pretty much set!
Sergio Perez on pole – Max Verstappen in P9!
Kieran Jackson6 May 2023 22:00
Sergio Perez behind Max Verstappen on the road
So, what can Max Verstappen do here?!
Pressure is on the Championship leader as all 10 cars go out on their final flying laps!
Kieran Jackson6 May 2023 21:59
Charles Leclerc makes a mistake at the end of the lap!
Best second sector… but a horrible turn 17 for Charles Leclerc, who locks up his Ferrari and ruins his lap! Only P7!
Current top-10 after first flying runs: Perez, Alonso, Sainz, Magnussen, Gasly, Russell, Leclerc, Ocon, Verstappen (no time), Bottas (no time)
Look at Kevin Magnussen in P4 for American-owned team Haas!
Kieran Jackson6 May 2023 21:55