Breaking: Lando Norris Wins Chaotic Miami Sprint as FIA Penalises Max Verstappen due to…read more
Lando Norris Wins Chaotic Miami Sprint as FIA Penalises Max Verstappen due to…read more
The Miami Grand Prix delivered a drama-filled and unpredictable sprint race, with McLaren’s Lando Norris emerging victorious after navigating treacherous track conditions. His teammate Oscar Piastri secured second place, creating a McLaren one-two finish, while Lewis Hamilton rounded out the podium. The wet-dry sprint was full of surprises, including a major penalty for Max Verstappen and a crash that ended Charles Leclerc’s race before it even began.
The race had all the elements of chaos, as heavy rain earlier in the day had soaked the Miami track. Though the rain had stopped by the time the sprint began, the circuit remained waterlogged, prompting the race to begin behind the Safety Car. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc became the first major casualty before the race even started, aquaplaning on the way to the grid and crashing into the barriers at Turn 10. Despite significant damage, Leclerc attempted to carry on, scattering debris across the track. As a result, the FIA summoned him post-race for potentially operating an unsafe vehicle.
The formation laps revealed how tricky the conditions were, with Kimi Antonelli voicing concerns over his lack of visibility behind the Safety Car. The FIA ultimately suspended the starting procedure, bringing out the red flag. During the delay, Verstappen requested a headrest change, complaining he was positioned too far back in the cockpit.
Once the delay ended, the sun began to shine and the track started drying, complicating tyre choices. Carlos Sainz, racing for Williams, was the only driver who opted for full wet tyres at the start, anticipating more rain. Meanwhile, most of the grid chose intermediates – a decision that backfired for some. Lewis Hamilton, frustrated by the choice, radioed his Ferrari engineers, saying, “I can’t believe you guys put me on inters.”
Even before the green flag waved, Verstappen had a shaky start. He briefly ran off the track during the formation lap due to a lock-up but was able to regain position since the race had not officially started. Initially, Verstappen avoided a penalty for a suspected false start, but his luck ran out later when he collided with Mercedes junior Kimi Antonelli in the pit lane. The stewards handed Verstappen a 10-second time penalty for the incident, further diminishing his chances in the sprint.
In stark contrast, Norris remained composed throughout the volatile race. As the track conditions improved and strategy came into play, he capitalised on his position and showed impressive control to secure the win. Teammate Oscar Piastri kept close behind, ensuring a dominant performance for McLaren in difficult conditions.
The Miami sprint highlighted just how quickly fortunes can change in Formula 1. With changing weather, risky tyre strategies, and unpredictable incidents, it proved to be a true test of driver skill and team decision-making. While Norris celebrated his sprint victory, Verstappen will be left to reflect on a race that unravelled despite early signs of promise.
