Max Verstappen turned a shocking weekend into a weekend that recalls Red Bull after bringing four-time world champions to Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix in a strong qualifying match.

Verstappen ranked first in the first session of the qualifying round but failed to break into the top three in the second quarter. The third session proved that Red Bull's upgrade package was a fruitful package, as the 0.065-second lead puts Dutch riders first. He was delayed by Lando Norris' McLaren, while Mercedes' rookie and Sprint pole Kimi Antonelli surrounded and took the ranking podium.

“I think being a dad will slow down Max, but that’s not the case,” Norris joked after the qualifying round. "Obviously, this didn't make me slowly become a dad," Verstappen echoed. Verstappen missed media day on Thursday after the birth of her daughter Lily.

“We are still struggling with restrictions,” Verstappen said Saturday after the meeting. Although straight and slow, Red Bull was strong in Norris' struggled corner, carefully bent McLaren over.

Norris has performed well in the qualifying game than most of the season, and he said the pace is encouraging.

But throughout the pit stop, a sweet ranking time is even more sour for others.

Lewis Hamilton's third-place sprint effect didn't translate into a lap pace. The seven-time world champion moved to Ferrari at the start of the season and did not make it to Rosso Corsa Red’s first racing race.

A series of rookies - Isack Hadjar, Gabriel Bortoleto, Jack Doohan and Liam Lawson, who suffered battery problems - joined the 40-year-old Ferrari driver to enter the second quarter's Elemination Zone. Hamilton will start on Sunday 12th.

His new teammate, Charles Leclerc, had no more luck. The driver in Monegasque will start in eighth and say he is "literally" not doing well and can't be faster.

Although Oscar Piastri dominated the Sprint game, despite being second and second in the second qualifier later that day, he had a high level of mastery, which was a solid third lap he had mastered. The Australians will be ranked fourth in the featured competition.

Sunday is a battle between the championship teams, with Red Bull, McLaren and Mercedes in the fight.

However, in Ferrari's failure, a weak man is approaching these three losers. Williams' Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz dominate the track more than any other team in Friday's Sprint qualifying and Saturday's qualifying. The two will lead both on Sunday.

The Miami Grand Prix starts on Sunday, May 4 at 21:00 BST.