Things just aren't going well for Charles Leclerc in Florida. © APA / RUDY CAREZZEVOLI

Perez grabs the championship lead, Leclerc has another accident

Sergio Perez starts the hunt for his third Formula 1 race win this year from pole position. He was ahead in a turbulent, surprising qualifying session.

06 May 2023

From: dpa/fop

Surprisingly, the Mexican drove the fastest qualifying time in his Red Bull at the Miami International Autodrome. He benefited from an early end to the session due to an accident involving Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc. After heavily damaging his car during training on Friday, he went off the track again and ended up in seventh place.

The other places behind Perez were Fernando Alonso in the Aston Martin and Carlos Sainz in the second Ferrari. World Cup leader Max Verstappen was ninth.

Verstappen in ninth place

The Dutchman, whose first attempt at a fast lap was ruined by a mistake, is now only six points behind his teammate Perez in the championship standings, who, like Verstappen, has taken two Grand Prix victories this year. With a win on Sunday (21.30:XNUMX p.m. CEST), Perez would probably take the lead.

Sergio Perez is in impressive form. © ANSA / CRISTOBAL HERRERA-ULASHKEVICH

Mercedes had a nasty surprise. George Russell didn't get past sixth place, record world champion Lewis Hamilton didn't even make it into the third and final qualifying segment in 13th place. This means the Brit faces a tough race with little chance of success. The course around the Miami Dolphins' NFL stadium doesn't offer many overtaking opportunities. The weather could cause some mixing, with isolated rain showers forecast.