Lando Norris cruised to victory in the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Sprint Race, comfortably controlling the field to underline McLaren’s step forward in performance.
After four and half weeks of no racing action, F1 returned with a vengeance in the Sunshine State. The Sprint Race presented a new challenge, with temperatures over 30’C, the first car had run in such conditions. This would prove to be a test for the new power units, with concerns over Honda’s ability to withstand the heat.
Arvid Lindblad was relegated to the pit lane for a technical infringement, significantly reducing his chances of a good result. But this paled in comparison to Nico Hulkenberg, his engine spectacularly expiring on his way to the grid.
Lights out and opening laps
Ferrari made their usual lightning getaway, but it was Norris leading Piastri into the first corner, with Antonelli enduring a poor start, but was able to keep position from George Russell. Hamilton and Verstappen also engaged in their own tussle, Verstappen emerging victorious.
As the cars completed the first lap, the McLarens began to pull away, with Leclerc holding off Piastri in fourth, while Hamilton won his battle with midway around lap two. Antonelli’s racecraft came under fire from Leclerc, worried the two might come to blows, however he need not have worried, as the Mercedes began to drop back. Both Alpines were in the top ten, proving their qualifying speed was no fluke.
Lower down the order, Sergio Perez gave Cadillac’s home crowd something to cheer about, passing Liam Lawson for 15th, and beginning to challenge Sainz for 14th. The midfield action was frantic, with multiple passes featuring throughout.
Back at the front, Norris held a 1.4-second advantage over Piastri, who in turn was pulling away from the train beginning to form behind Charles Leclerc. The two Mercedes were itching to get past, but the Ferrari held firm. This allowed Hamilton to close on the trio, leading to the two teams following in formation, but still, no moves were made. Leclerc began to slowly close on Piastri, but was still frustratingly out of range of the McLaren.
A slow burner leads to thrilling F1 Miami GP Sprint finish
Russell made his move on his teammate on Lap 8, unleashing him. Antonelli attempted to pass, but Russell covered him off. Antonelli then re-passed his teammate, just as Verstappen passed Hamilton.
Red Bull instructed Verstappen to give the position back, with Hamilton obliging, Verstappen left to rethink his strategy. He successfully executed the move on the next lap at Turn 17. The intra-team battle at Mercedes gave Leclerc some breathing space, pulling almost three seconds clear, with Antonelli receiving his final warning for track limits on Lap 11.
Back at the front, Piastri had a Ferrari in his mirrors on Lap 13, the Australian struggling for grip. By the next lap, Leclerc was within striking distance, but not yet close enough to make a move as the laps counted down.
Further down the order, Alex Albon pitted for a new front wing, exiting at the back of the field. In the midfield, the second Red Bull of Hadjar was on a recovery drive. In tenth on Lap 15, he came up against the Franco Colapinto, the Argentine refusing to yield, Hadjar using aggressive overtaking to pass.
With four laps to go, the gap between Piastri and Leclerc had upped the ante on his attack, but still Piastri resisted. Leclerc running wide on the penultimate lap all but ended his charge.
At the chequered flag, Norris took a dominant win from Piastri, with Leclerc in third. The two Mercedes of Antonelli and Russell were fourth and fifth, Verstappen sixth, Hamilton seventh, Gasly eighth, Hadjar ninth, and Colapinto in tenth.
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