Max Verstappen Leads Practice Despite Struggles
Max Verstappen set the pace in practice for the Miami Grand Prix, although he faced challenges during the session. Verstappen, who has been dominant this season with four wins in five races, expressed frustration with his performance, likening it to driving on “egg shells”.
Practice Results
- Max Verstappen finished first, ahead of Oscar Piastri from McLaren.
- Carlos Sainz of Ferrari claimed the third spot, with George Russell from Mercedes in fourth.
- Lewis Hamilton came in seventh, while Lando Norris ended up in 16th place.
Verstappen’s struggles were evident throughout the session, with issues related to tire temperature and grip. Despite these challenges, he managed to top the timesheets just before qualifying for the sprint race.
The session was briefly halted when Charles Leclerc spun out, causing a temporary suspension. This incident disrupted Leclerc’s preparation for the upcoming races, as he had to watch from the sidelines.
Mercedes and McLaren introduced upgraded packages for the event, with Russell showing promising pace close to Verstappen’s time. Hamilton, however, faced a larger gap to the front, finishing four tenths behind the Red Bull driver. Norris encountered steering problems, while Alonso struggled and finished in 19th place for Aston Martin.