Leclerc Locks Down Front Row In Inagural Miami Grand Prix

World championship leader Charles Leclerc led the Italian team to a front-row lockout at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix.

The 24-year-old Monegasque claimed pole position ahead of his Ferrari team-mate Carlos Sainz after world champion Max Verstappen made a rare error and slipped to third on the grid for Red Bull at a packed Miami International Autodrome

"The fans are crazy," said a beaming Leclerc. "But it's incredible to be here in the United States and to see how much the sport has grown over the last few years.

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Charles Leclerc will start on pole alongside him will be Carlos Sainz. Verstappen will start on the second row with Perez. pic.twitter.com/BHLnF5jDpH

— SuperSport ? (@SuperSportTV) May 7, 2022

"The last race weekend wasn't great for me. I made a mistake in that race. But today it went well.

"We are starting on pole and we need to finish the job tomorrow.

"Red Bull are extremely quick in the straight lines, but we are quick in the corners and it will be a tight challenge tomorrow. We feel very motivated as there are so many Ferrari fans here."

Leclerc clocked a fastest lap in one minute and 28.796 seconds to outpace team-mate Sainz by two-tenths.