Verstappen also takes pole in Miami and approaches Ayrton Senna’s record | formula 1

Verstappen was the fastest in Miami Gardens, ahead of Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. The Dutchman is in his usual form on the American east coast. Earlier in the evening he already won the sprint race, which he also started from the first starting place.

With the fastest time in qualifying again, Verstappen has a record set by Senna in his sights. The legendary Brazilian took pole eight times in succession in 1988 and 1989. The Limburger can equal Senna’s record at the next race in Imola.

If he succeeds, Verstappen will also equal a record set by Senna’s old rival Alain Prost. In 1993 he also took pole position for the first seven races of the season. For Verstappen it also meant his first pole in Miami.

A few hours after Verstappen’s dominant victory in the sprint race, the three-time world champion again clocked the fastest time in the first part of the session. In Q2 he only had to tolerate Leclerc.

In the session in which the first ten starting spots were then fought for, Verstappen was immediately the fastest with 1.27.241 in his first run. He did not improve in the second run, but nevertheless kept the Ferrari duo Leclerc (1.27.382) and Sainz (1.27.455) behind him.

Two names stood out in the backfield. Daniel Ricciardo surprised with the fourth fastest time in qualifying for the sprint race on Friday. Now the Australian did not get further than eighteenth place. Fernando Alonso finished disappointingly fifteenth.