Sprint Qualifying at the Miami Grand Prix brought the usual intense competition, with drivers pushing to the limit for every thousandth of a second. Charles Leclerc secured the second-fastest time, while Carlos Sainz claimed fifth. Leclerc’s performance stood out, given his limited practice laps due to an early setback, yet he nearly matched pole position. Sainz showed strong consistency but narrowly missed the second row by a fraction.
In the sessions leading up to the Sprint Qualifying, Ferrari navigated the tire strategy adeptly, with both drivers progressing smoothly. Leclerc and Sainz maximized the potential of the Soft compound tires in the decisive session, adapting to the evolving track conditions. Although Sainz lost ground in the final sector, Leclerc’s performance remained impressive.
Looking ahead to the Sprint Race, where points are awarded for the top eight finishers, Ferrari aims to capitalize on the race pace and gather crucial data for Sunday’s Grand Prix. With parc ferme rules suspended after the Sprint Race, teams have the opportunity to fine-tune their cars for qualifying and the main race.
Charles Leclerc shared his satisfaction with his qualifying performance, crediting his preparation efforts in improving tire management. Sainz, however, acknowledged challenges in finding consistency between sessions but remains determined to bounce back.
Team Principal Fred Vasseur reflected on the team’s performance, highlighting the competitiveness among the top teams and Ferrari’s strategic tire choices. He emphasized the importance of utilizing the Sprint Race for race preparation and expressed optimism about the team’s chances, despite uncertainties surrounding race strategy and the need for a strong start.
