When it was least expected, Max Verstappen showed his vulnerability. After winning the sprint race and securing pole position for the Miami Grand Prix, the Dutchman ended up succumbing to the pressure of Lando Norris. The British McLaren driver, who was lucky enough to have a safety car when he was leading in the absence of making his stop, did not waste his opportunity to debut his record in Formula 1 with a historic victory. against the Dutch.
Carlos Sainz finished fourth after a very tough fight with Oscar Piastri that will be investigated by the stewards after the race and Fernando Alonso climbed from 15th on the grid to ninth in the final position, achieving the goal of scoring points that he had set at the end of the race. most complicated week for Aston Martin so far this year.
Verstappen, who started on pole for the sixth time this year, did not fail at the start. Leclerc reacted late and lost second position with Sainz and Pérez, but Checo, very aggressive, went wide, destabilizing Carlos, which almost collided with the Mexican. The action allowed Leclerc and also an attentive Piastri to overtake the Spaniard, who fell to fourth place, with Pérez’s Red Bull in their wake. Alonso started with a different strategy than most, betting on hard tires and took advantage of the pitched battle of the two Alpines to climb three positions, up to 12th.
The McLarens, despite their multiple problems on Saturday, began to make profitable the ambitious package of evolutions they have introduced in Miami. While Norris was putting pressure on Pérez to get into the top five, Piastri, launched, gave Leclerc no option with the DRS and left the Monegasque behind on the fourth lap. The young Australian talent consolidated his position in second position. Verstappen was already three seconds behind, but uncomfortable in the face of the relentless pursuit.
Leader error
Verstappen, nervous, made a mistake and hit a bollard ahead in a chicane without visibility. The incident led to a brief virtual safety car that the drivers in the lead could not take advantage of to make their stop, but it did benefit Alonso, who rode medium. Max, with minor damage to his wing, went through the pits and returned to the track fourth.
Piastri and Sainz made their pit stop in unison with 29 laps remaining and Norris inherited the provisional lead. The Briton had all the luck he lacked the day before, when the incident triggered by Hamilton threw him out of the sprint race in the first corner. This time, a timely safety car caused Sargeant’s accident and Magnussen was providential for Lando, who consolidated his lead with a free stop.
The race resumed with 25 laps remaining, with Norris chased by Verstappen. The McLaren driver had a unique opportunity to achieve his first victory in F1 and he went for it, with Verstappen, helpless, further and further away, over six seconds with five laps remaining.
Sainz and Piastri They fought for fourth position and although the Australian kicked the Madrid native off the track, the FIA saw no reason to investigate the incident. Carlos, furious, got his reward on the track, successfully challenging the Australian, who ended up with the car damaged in the impetuous defense of him with the Ferrari. The stewards announced an investigation after the race that leaves the Spaniard’s result in the air. Leclerc completed the podium, with Norris as the absolute protagonist against Verstappen, who continues to lead the World Championship.
2024-05-05 21:41:54
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