Valtteri Bottas delivered to Alfa Romeo in Miami on Saturday's its best qualifying performance since the Swiss outfit's first season under the Italian manufacturer's banner in 2019.
Bottas clocked in an impressive fifth after the top-ten shootout, positioning himself and his team as the best contenders behind F1's leading Ferrari and Red Bull duo.
And the Finn achieved his performance while racking up just 13 laps on Friday as a result of his unfortunate crash in FP1.
"I am really pleased about today’s performance," said a beaming Bottas after qualifying. "It was a great recovery from yesterday, when we didn’t have an easy day.
"A big thanks to the whole team, they delivered when called to the task of rebuilding the car.
"Today we had a big job to do: we had a good FP3, we had a clear direction for our set-up and the car was really quick.
"It was down to me, then, to find a good rhythm and by Q3 I had definitely found it. I really enjoyed the last lap of Q3!"
©AlfaRomeo
Save for Saudi Arabia, Bottas has scored points at every race so far, achieving his best result at Imola last time out when he finished fifth.
The Finn was therefore not all that surprised by his run to P5 in Miami qualifying.
"Coming into the weekend, we saw some signs of what we could do so I am not surprised we’re up here, but of course I am pleased all things turned out well
"Now we’re in our best prospected scenario, behind the Ferrari and Red Bulls: we know that, realistically, fighting them will be difficult, but this is racing so you never know what is going to happen.
"We just need to focus on our race and, if there are opportunities, take them."
Bottas is nevertheless expecting a challenging race in Miami Gardens, but a top five remains his self-proclaimed objective.
"It will be a challenge, it will be hot for the car, the tyres and the driver – a hot and sweaty race.
"We have a good race car so we can fight to be in front of the midfield: a top five finish has to be our minimum target."
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