MIAMI: More like it.
NUMBER SIX
Some action in Miami. Things actually happen!
We begin with a bit of Lap 1 chaos. Verstappen locks up into Turn 1, allowing Norris to sneak alongside and then run off track, as Piastri and Antonelli capitalise and get through. At the same time, Doohan runs into Lawson and is forced to retire his Alpine, causing the first of 3 virtual safety cars.
Track cleared, green flag, and they’re off again. This is where McClaren get going. After his slight mishap in Lap 1, Norris has work to do. He picks off Albon and both the Mercs by Lap 9, then has a battle on his hands with Verstappen for P2. It takes a couple of laps, but he gets it done. Piastri has a similar battle with Verstappen for P1 earlier in the race, but he too gets it done. It seems the Red Bull just cannot compete with McLaren’s pace. Piastri takes P1 and Norris P2 – while it’s vice versa in the Sprint. The dream weekend.
Back to the race, we’re about halfway through and Bearman’s Haas is shooting flames out the back. Not ideal. He pulls over and we have our second virtual safety car. Queue a million pit stops. It’s bad news for Haas as Bearman is forced to retire. It’s even worse news when they look at their closest competition, Williams.
It’s a great weekend for Williams. Particularly Albon. P5 Saturday and Sunday. Sainz is slightly behind at P9, but between them are 2 Ferraris and a Mercedes. Last season they finished P9 with 17 points, right now they sit at P5 with 37. The improvement is astonishing. At one point in the race, Albon overtakes Antonelli as Sainz simultaneously gets Leclerc – their hunt for Mercedes and Ferrari is on.
While Williams show pace, Red Bull seem to lack it. Verstappen loses pole to both McLarens early on and, while he puts in his usual defensive masterclass, once Piastri and Norris get through, there is just no catching them. He comes in at P4, and over 30 seconds behind the McLarens. Tsunoda manages to sneak into the points at P10, and adds 3 more points for his P6 Sprint finish.
Our final virtual safety car comes as a result of Bortoleto’s Sauber conking out in Lap 30. The restart causes quite the battle…
Ferrari seem to be a bit all over the place in this one. Leclerc and Hamilton put in very similar performances, and squabble over position. Hamilton is particularly frustrated over his radio and demands a swap, following Leclerc overtaking him but seemingly unable to catch Antonelli in front. They swap. They then swap again. They do not catch Antonelli. They finish P7 and P8. The swapping is messy and, frankly, pointless with 5 laps to go. It’s also a lot of strategy chat for a pretty average position finish. Mercedes, on the other hand, seem to quietly get the job done. Russell picks up yet another P3, while Antonelli comes in at P6 – which is, crucially, just ahead of both Ferraris.
A quick look to the rookies: Antonelli does very well at P6, Hadjar is good at P11 – hot on the tails of Tsunoda (important), and the rest are DNFs. Yikes.
Elsewhere, the Aston Martins are nowhere at P15 and P16 – although Stroll does pick up 4 points in the Sprint. Hulkenberg finishes at P14 for Sauber, and Gasly P13 for Alpine.
Phew!