Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli delivered a landmark moment in Formula 1 history on Friday, becoming the sport’s youngest-ever polesitter with a “might lap” in Sprint Qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix.
Antonelli’s journey to this moment has been one of calculated progression. Across the opening five rounds of his rookie season, the young Italian methodically adapted to the relentless demands of F1 and the intricacies of his Mercedes W16.
His preparation paid dividends in Miami, where confidence and precision converged in a lap that left the paddock in awe.
“Yeah, it was a very intense qualifying. I felt really good since this morning, and I felt confident going into qualifying,” he told Tom Kristensen in parc fermé immediately after the milestone session.
“The last lap was mighty. I put basically everything together, and it was nice that it came very nicely. Really happy to get the first pole."
The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, who watched his protégé’s ascent with pride. Speaking to Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz, the Austrian’s admiration was palpable.
“This young man, hopefully, will make us lots of fun in the future, lots of happiness,” he said. “And it’s about the trajectory.
“It’s not whether it’s a pole and only the sprint race or a pole tomorrow or in the future, he’s done it. He’s the quickest.”
For Wolff, Antonelli’s achievement was not just a fleeting triumph but a glimpse of a luminous future.
Despite his historic accomplishment, Antonelli quickly turned his attention to the tasks ahead.
“Now we will enjoy this moment a little bit more, but as well, I want to focus on tomorrow, because I really want to try and repeat myself,” he told the media.
“We did quite a lot, quite a long run in FP1 to try and gather as many information as possible. Of course, we don’t really know the pace of the others, but I guess we will see tomorrow, during the race and then about the qualifying.
“I mean, the track is going to keep evolving, so it’s going to be important to be on top of it and try to repeat ourselves.”
Among the most touching moments of the day was a warm embrace shared with his father post-session — a quiet celebration of a journey years in the making.
“It was really nice. And also to find him in the garage after qualifying,” Antonelli said. “I’m super happy to share this moment with him. And it’s so important to me as well, and he’s like a rock and I know I can always rely on him.
“So, really happy to share this moment with him. And I would like to share with my mom and my sister as well. But, hopefully next time.”
With Sprint glory now within reach and Sunday’s Grand Prix on the horizon, Antonelli’s breakthrough moment in Miami could be just the beginning of something extraordinary.
“Tomorrow is going to be nice to start on the front row,” he said. “It’s going to be a bit of a different feeling, but I really cannot wait for tomorrow to see how we can do in the Sprint and then in the qualifying as well.”
For now, the paddock watches eagerly, knowing they’re witnessing the dawn of a new F1 star.
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