Lando Norris stuns in Miami as Mercedes loses its dominant F1 grip

F1 champion Lando Norris lit up the Miami International Autodrome by claiming pole position for the Miami Sprint as Mercedes' grip on the season was loosened by a resurgent McLaren.

Mercedes had previously claimed all four pole positions this season across the three grands prix this year - including the sprint in China - yet Norris will start from top spot after a lap of 1:27.869s, finishing a quarter of a second clear of championship leader Kimi Antonelli.

The 19-year-old Italian was last on track and purpled the middle sector but had to settle for second best as he split the McLaren duo, with Oscar Piastri lining up in third ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen in his Red Bull, who was six-tenths of a second adrift.

It could be argued that McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull all have considerable upgrade packages on their cars for this event, whereas Mercedes, with only a couple of minor updates, is not due to show its hand on the development front until the next race in Canada in three weeks' time.

Mercedes' George Russell will line up sixth ahead of Lewis Hamilton in his Ferrari, whilst Alpine showed form with Franco Colapinto eighth fastest and team-mate Pierre Gasly 10th, either side of Red Bull's Isack Hadjar.

Lawson confusion

At the end of SQ1, a session topped by Norris with a lap of 1:28.723s, just a hundredth of a second quicker than Leclerc, the woes suffered by Aston Martin reached its nadir for the season.

Lance Stroll failed to set a time after suffering a severe lock-up at one stage on his only hot lap, whilst Fernando Alonso's best lap was 13 seconds slower than Norris, leaving both drivers outside of the 107% ruling and at the mercy of the stewards as to whether they will be allowed to compete in Saturday's sprint.

If so, the duo will line up on the back row in a car bereft of any upgrades this weekend, in stark contrast to the majority of their rivals, whose cars are all sporting updates to one extent or another.

Ahead of Aston Martin on the 10th row will be Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas, split by over half a second, with the Finn 10 seconds faster than Alonso.

Liam Lawson will start 17th following a disappointing session after which he complained about the brakes on his Racing Bulls, with the New Zealander ahead of Haas' Esteban Ocon by two-tenths of a second.

Confusion then reigned, though, as Lawson sat in his car as SQ2 unfolded. Racing Bulls explained that they were waiting to hear if another car would be disqualified, ensuring he was prepped should he be required to head back on track. But he never did.

Leclerc went on to top SQ2 with a 1:28.333s, ahead of Piastri and Hamilton. Audi duo Gabriel Bortoleto and Nico Hulkenberg both just missed out on a place in the top 10, the former by just 0.021s to Gasly, leaving them 11th and 12th on the grid.

Oliver Bearman will start 13th in his Haas, a tenth of a second ahead of Williams' Alex Albon, with team-mate Carlos Sainz lining up 15th. The Spanish driver was far from happy with his exit, making his feelings clear over the radio at Williams' situation.

Arvid Lindblad starts 16th in his Racing Bulls.