Max Verstappen put on a remarkable display of skill and strategy at the Miami Grand Prix as he stormed through the field from ninth place to claim victory in a commanding fashion.
The Red Bull driver opted for an off-set tire strategy, utilizing a long first stint on hard tires. This allowed him to rejoin the race just a second behind teammate Sergio Perez after pitting later than him, and Verstappen swiftly overtook Perez to take the lead.
Perez’s defeat was a humbling blow and raised doubts about his ability to challenge Verstappen for the championship this year. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso continued his impressive season for Aston Martin, securing his fourth podium finish in five races. George Russell had a strong performance, finishing fourth for Mercedes. However, it was a disappointing day for Ferrari as both Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc faced setbacks. Sainz received a penalty for speeding in the pit lane, while Leclerc, who crashed in qualifying, struggled to overtake Haas driver Kevin Magnussen.
Verstappen’s victory marked his most impressive win of the season thus far, extending his championship lead over Perez by 14 points. Starting from pole position, Perez had a favorable position, while Verstappen faced a challenging task starting from ninth. However, Red Bull’s tire strategy paid off as Verstappen showcased his skill and consistency, preventing Perez from closing in on him with fresher tires.
The race also featured exciting battles throughout the field, adding to the spectacle for the 90,766 fans in attendance. The event was accompanied by American razzmatazz, with rapper LL Cool J introducing the drivers alongside a special orchestral performance by Will.i.Am. The star-studded crowd included celebrities such as Tom Cruise, Shakira, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, and Patrick Mahomes.
Alonso and Magnussen were standout performers, with Alonso impressively challenging Perez in the first stint while fending off Sainz. Despite Sainz’s initial pace, Alonso consistently outperformed him in the second stint. Hamilton, starting from 13th on the grid, utilized a similar tire strategy to Verstappen, making his way up to sixth place by overtaking Leclerc and Pierre Gasly of Alpine.
Ferrari will undoubtedly reflect on the race and question why their lead driver struggled to surpass a competitor from a smaller-budget team. Leclerc managed to overtake Magnussen after several attempts, salvaging some pride for Ferrari. Gasly and Esteban Ocon of Alpine finished behind Leclerc, with Ocon overtaking Magnussen in the closing stages.
Overall, Verstappen’s impressive performance and strategic prowess at the Miami Grand Prix solidified his position as the driver to beat, while leaving Perez and the rest of the field with significant ground to make up in the championship race.
