Miami GP Sprint Qualifying Report

There was much more to discuss in the build-up to the Miami event than usual because of the long gap between races.  Firstly, there are changes to the fancy electrics; these were explained but I don't think even if I was interested I wouldn't really understand them.  After that there are personnel changes: Verstappen's long time engineer will be leaving Red Bull for McLaren in...2028.  Leading however, is Allan McNish at Audi.

Failing to make adjustments for the changes was Stroll, who beached himself at the side of the track and a Yellow Flag was brought out for quite a considerable period.  Norris led the first session with Lawson, Ocon, Perez, Bottas, Alonso and Stroll going out.

The second session was uneventful with LeClerc leading this time and Bortoleto, Hulkenberg, Bearman, Albon, Sainz and Lindblad going out.  Sainz was very unhappy on the radio with how little progress Williams had made over the month hiatus.

It looked like it could be a McLaren front row for the Sprint but Antonelli split them in the end.   The top ten were Norris, Antonelli, Piastri, LeClerc, Verstappen, Russell, Hamilton, Colapino, Hadjar and Gasly.  It's a fairly predictable top ten, even if the order isn't.  

I don't feel I can many predictions for the Sprint because we just don't know how the regulation changes are going to effect the racing.  What I will predict for Race Qualifying is that it will be unpredictable; some teams will learn a lot from this and improve.  There is lots to find out this weekend.