Max Verstappen set the fastest time during the only practice session for the Miami GP. The race weekend started in dramatic fashion for Charles Leclerc, with the Monaco driver having to exit his Ferrari after only about ten minutes.
🟢FP1 is going! 🟢
Our only hour of training is underway in Miami 🇺🇸#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/9cW9lPbF92
– Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2024
Two weeks ago, drivers in China had the first of six race weekends on the Formula 1 calendar with a so-called “race format” and the second will follow immediately in Miami this weekend. Therefore, there is only one practice session for the drivers, followed directly by qualifying for the sprint race. The riders’ job was to try to make the most of every minute.
It’s an early red flag 🔴
We had a roadblock after Leclerc went on tour and we couldn’t move forward 😳#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/QBFwOH2FcF
– Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2024
Here things immediately got worse for Charles Leclerc because just ten minutes into the session, the Monaco spun in a narrow part of the track.
Charles has turned our heads 😵💫
This moment highlighted red flags during training #F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/jBiyWuqvXe
– Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2024
Leclerc attempted to turn his Ferrari F1 car, but as his gearbox overheated, the session was immediately over for Leclerc. With just one fast lap behind him, Leclerc is in for a tough continuation of the weekend.
Coming back 💪
There are just under 45 minutes left on the clock ⏳#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/vZoWplh5jK
– Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2024
Leclerc’s spin caused us to get a red flag and lose valuable time for the drivers. When the session resumed, people had to queue at the pit lane exit to get to the track as quickly as possible.
Find the limit 🔍
Max overcooked on the brakes in T17 🔥#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/ec0ibO8xP9
– Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2024
The message was to reach the limits of the car and the track as well and as quickly as possible, as well as build speed, and the fact that this was a challenge on the Miami Street Circuit was clear from the numerous mistakes the skaters made and we saw. Max Verstappen also moved straight ahead at one point.
Not the start Charles was looking for#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/IVN9zNxCTd
– Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2024
With about twenty minutes to go, Carlos Sainz in the only remaining red and blue Ferrari was the fastest driver on the track. However, towards the end of the session, we saw lap times drop even further.
Carlos Sainz is fastest 20 minutes before the end! 🚀
Follow the rest of the training from Miami LIVE 👇#F1 #MiamiGP
– Formula 1 (@F1) May 3, 2024
In the end, Max Verstappen was fastest, ahead of Oscar Piastri in the McLaren and Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari who completed the top three. After just one practice session, an exciting sprint qualifying will undoubtedly be waiting for you.
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