Perez on pole for the Miami Grand Prix, Verstappen 9th: 'I'm enjoying the battle'

Red Bull's Sergio Perez grabbed pole position for Sunday's Miami Grand Prix and with teammate Max Verstappen left back in ninth on the grid, has his eyes on a victory that could send him to the top of the standings.

Perez is just six points behind defending world champion Verstappen after the Mexican's second victory of the season in Azerbaijan last week.

POLE POSITION!!! Thank you for your support. Tomorrow I will give everything!!Gracias por su apoyo. Mañana lo daré todo!!! #sp11 ?? #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/P7Oobfrxrj

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, enjoying a strong season, claimed second place and Ferrari's Carlos Sainz will start in third in an all-Spanish speaking front row of the grid.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc crashed out with one minute 36 seconds left, causing a red flag and the decision was taken not to resume the session.

Leclerc, who had clipped the wall earlier in qualification, lost control through Turn Six and span out of control the entry to the next turn, with his Ferrari spinning into the wall.

The premature end to the session left Verstappen, who had topped the final two practice sessions, without the chance to make a final lap to challenge for pole and Leclerc back in seventh.

Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, failed to make it out of Q2 and will start down in 13th place on the grid for Sunday's race.

A qualifying to forget for Lewis Hamilton ??The Mercedes driver was knocked out in Q2 and will start Sunday's race from P13 #MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/VxU3lUMR8U

Duel provides drama

With Red Bull consistently the fastest this season, the duel between their two drivers is so far the source of the most drama.

"I'm enjoying (the battle)," said Perez, "I'm just thinking race by race.