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Antonelli Poles, Outpaces Verstappen; Audi Fire Sparks Schedule Review

5/3/2026

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Summary

Antonelli Takes Pole

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) secured pole with a 1:27.798 lap, 0.166 seconds faster than Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) qualified second, while Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Lando Norris (McLaren) completed the top four.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi suffered a brake fire and finished last in qualifying.
Officials considered schedule tweaks because thunderstorms were forecast for race day.

Summary

FIA Adjusts

FIA introduced a mid-season Miami rule change allowing drivers to run flat-out instead of being limited by energy management.
McLaren, Ferrari and Red Bull fitted major upgrades, while Mercedes ran fewer updates, admitted it lagged, and promised a larger package for the Canadian round.
FIA issued a rain-hazard alert forecasting over a 40 % chance of rain and lightning that could push the race start from the 4 p.m. (9 p.m. BST) slot.

History

Historical Context

Approved in May 2007, the Marina Bay Street Circuit hosted Formula One’s first night race on 28 September 2008, the 15th round and 800th World Championship event. Heavy rain and a deliberate crash by Renault’s Nelson Piquet Jr., ordered by team principal Flavio Briatore, triggered a safety-car period and led the FIA to impose bans and a suspended team disqualification.

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Antonelli Takes Pole

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) secured pole with a 1:27.798 lap, 0.166 seconds faster than Max Verstappen.
Max Verstappen (Red Bull) qualified second, while Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Lando Norris (McLaren) completed the top four.
Gabriel Bortoleto’s Audi suffered a brake fire and finished last in qualifying.
Officials considered schedule tweaks because thunderstorms were forecast for race day.

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