Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli has made Formula 1 history by becoming the youngest pole-sitter ever in qualifying for the Miami sprint race.
The 18-year-old Italian sensation posted a blistering time of 1:26.482s to secure the top spot on the grid for Saturday's sprint event.
At just over 18 years and nine months old, Antonelli has obliterated the previous F1 pole record in what marks a remarkable achievement for the young talent.
Antonelli's stunning performance saw him edge out championship leader Oscar Piastri by the slimmest of margins, just 0.045 seconds.
Rookie driver Kimi Antonelli made F1 history
Reuters
McLaren's Lando Norris secured third place on the grid, a further 0.055 seconds behind his teammate.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who typically dominates qualifying sessions, had to settle for fourth position.
The young Mercedes driver's pace came somewhat out of the blue, leaving his more experienced rivals trailing in his wake.
"I am over the moon," Antonelli said after his remarkable achievement. "I did not expect it."
The rookie was clearly elated, embracing his father Marco in the Mercedes garage as the team celebrated wildly.
"It was really nice to find him in the garage after qualifying," Antonelli added. "I am super-happy to share this moment with him. It is so important to me, he is like a rock."
The performance marks the first time Antonelli has outqualified his teammate George Russell this season, showcasing the immense potential Mercedes saw in him.
Russell, who qualified fifth, finished 0.309 seconds slower than his rookie teammate.
This breakthrough moment represents the first glimpse of the exceptional talent that prompted Mercedes to select Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton's replacement.
The youngster has taken a measured approach to the start of his F1 career but looked assured from the beginning of practice in Miami.
Kimi Antonelli has put himself in a strong position to win the Miami Grand Prix
Reuters
Hamilton, who won the first sprint race of the season in China, qualified seventh behind Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc in sixth.
Williams' Alex Albon secured eighth place on the grid, with Racing Bulls' Isack Hadjar and veteran Fernando Alonso completing the top 10.
Alonso's performance marks only the second time this season that Aston Martin has reached the top 10 in qualifying.
Verstappen's teammate Yuki Tsunoda struggled significantly, being knocked out in the first session to start 18th.
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Kimi Antonelli replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes at the start of the season
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Antonelli's remarkable achievement comes in his first Formula 1 season, where Mercedes took the bold decision to hire him as replacement for seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.
The Italian is preparing for only his sixth Grand Prix weekend, making his pole position even more impressive.
His success also marks the first time since 2009 that an Italian driver has taken pole position in Formula 1.
Starting from pole gives Antonelli a significant opportunity to convert his qualifying success into a maiden win.
