F1: Verstappen Outshines Leclerc To Win Miami GP

Starting the race from 3rd on the grid after a mistake in his final run in qualifying, Max Verstappen got a good launch off the line and took P2 away from Carlos Sainz at turn 1. Charles Leclerc also got off the line well from Pole position, and as expected, the drivers starting from the inside line struggled at the start, whereas the ones on the clean outside line got off very well. From then on, Max Verstappen set his target on the back of Charles Leclerc, and passed the Monegasque driver on Lap 9.

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Clinical from Verstappen ????#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/HkwmfHQlA2

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 8, 2022

Most of the race lacked action from here on. Majority of the grid opted to start the race on Mediums and then ended it on hard compound tyres, taking away any strategy drama too. The drivers who started the race on hard tyres lost out in the initial stages of the race due to lack of grip, but a late VSC/Safety Car period played in their hands as they could pit while the field was slowed down and not lose as much time. George Russel - being a driver who started on Hard tyres - took advantage of this to convert his P12 in qualifying to P5 in the race. He started in P11, as both the Aston Martin drivers started from the pitlane to avoid a penalty from FIA due to a pre-race fuel temperature issue.

A dramatic end to Norris's race after contact with Gasly ????#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/IM4tJoWjO1

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 8, 2022

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The VSC period, which turned into a full Safety Car, was triggered by the coming together of Pierre Gasly and Lando Norris. Gasly's front left clipped Norris' rear, ripping the McLaren driver's tyre out and resulted in a spectacular crash taking both drivers out of the race. Following the end of the safety car period, the race sprung back to life. Charles Leclerc gave it his all during the closing stages of the race, but fell short in catching Verstappen, who did enough to fend off any attempts from the Ferrari driver. The closing stages also saw the two Germans on the grid - Sebastian Vettel and Mick Schumacher - come together robbing them of any possibility of points, as Vettel had to retire his car and Schumacher had to pit for a new wing.

Mick and Seb tangle at Turn 1 ????

Watch all the key action from our first race in Miami ????#MiamiGP #F1

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 9, 2022

Sergio Perez also took advantage of the Safety Car stoppage to pit for a new set of mediums in his attempt to pass the two Ferraris in front of him, but he couldn't win the battle with Sainz for the final podium place and finished 4th. Bottas having started in P5 continued to hold the place for a long duration, until a late wobble saw both the Mercedes cars pass him, pushing him down to 7th.

After a poor start on the hard tyres, Mercedes' George Russel dropped down to 15th, but did well to recover and pass multiple cars on the way, until a lucky VSC meant he was up in P7. From there he battled Hamilton during  the closing stages of the race and brought home a P5 finish. He is now the only driver who has finished every race this season in top 5.

Alex Albon also delivered on the pace of the car which he believed was existing since the beginning of the weekend, but a poor qualifying meant he was starting towards the back of the grid. Just two races after he pulled a tyre management masterclass in Australia by going the entire race distance minus 1 lap on a set of hard tyres to clinch the final point, Albon drove a well managed race to bring the car home in P10 yet again. He was promoted to P9 as Fernando Alonso received 2 time penalties for a collision with Gasly and for leaving the track and gaining advantage. Lance Stroll also converted his hard tyre start into a point scoring finish, despite starting the race from the pit lane.

With Verstappen winning the race and Perez finishing in P4, Red Bull and Verstappen inch closer to Ferrari and Leclerc in the championships, as the car development game continues. With the recent upgrades to the W13, Mercedes is also looking at being ahead of the class of the midfield, and could soon frequent podium appearances, if not mount a title challenge.

2022 Miami GP Race Results

2022 F1 World Drivers Championship Standings After Miami GP

2022 F1 World Constructors Championship Standings After Miami GP