He kept chipping away, and when the checkered flag flew at the end of qualifying for the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was where he has been so many times before over his storied career.

Kimi Antonelli, who at 18 years old became F1’s youngest pole winner in history when he started first in Saturday’s sprint race, qualified third for Mercedes. It is the first time he qualified higher than teammate George Russell, who was fifth behind current F1 points leader Oscar Piastri of McLaren.

Formula One is back in the U.S. for Round 6 of the F1 season and the Miami Grand Prix. Oscar Piastri and his McLaren team arrived at Miami International Autodrome leading both championships. But it is Mercedes’ teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli who will start today’s 30-minute sprint race from pole ahead of the two papaya cars.