MIAMI GARDENS — The race vehicles flip their first laps on-track on the on Could 2, however the stars behind the wheel – with one important exception – frolicked at-track assembly with the worldwide press, interacting with the gamers and sharing their expectations for the
Defending race winner, McLaren Racing’s Lando Norris, was nonetheless smiling whereas recalling his first profession System One victory in final yr’s race. And two-time winner, , was notably absent. He’ll arrive in time for opening observe however as an alternative of assembly with media he was spending time at house in Monaco together with his longtime girlfriend, Kelly Piquet, who is because of give delivery to the couple’s baby any time.
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“It’s good reminiscences, proper, it’s the stuff I dreamed of as a child, profitable and standing on the highest step [of the winner’s podium] and I managed to do it right here, which is a cool place to do it’’ stated the 24-year previous Norris, who has gained 4 extra races since his victorious cease in South Florida, together with one this yr at Australia.
Could 1, 2025; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; McLaren driver Lando Norris (4) talks to reporters throughout a press convention at Miami Worldwide Autodrome. Necessary Credit score: Sam Navarro-Imagn Pictures
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“Good reminiscences. Good instances, considering again to the race and the checkered flag, seeing the crew in celebrations. Loads of issues that carry smiles to my face and hopefully the plan is to try this once more.’’
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Norris comes into the race ranked second within the championship standings, trailing his 24-year previous teammate Oscar Piastri by 10 factors. Verstappen, the reigning world champion, is third, 12 factors off Piastri’s tempo.
All of the drivers have been eager to return to Miami and the locale didn’t disappoint with sunny skies and heat temperatures. An keen and enthusiastic welcome is anticipated Could 2 when followers come out for the opening observe session at midday, adopted by dash race qualifying at 4:30 p.m.
On Could 3, the sequence will run a 19-lap Dash Race at midday, adopted by qualifying session for the Could 4 grand prix at 4 p.m.
This yr presents a variety of new seems to be with six rookies on the 20-car grid. Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli is making the transition to System One’s highest ranks look do-able. He has top-five finishes in 4 of the primary 5 races and is ranked sixth within the championship – forward of a number of veterans, together with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who has moved from that Mercedes seat to Ferrari this season.
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“I’m extra assured with the automobile weekend by weekend,’’ stated Antonelli, an 18-year previous Italian. “I feel it’s gonna be a bit simpler to rise up to hurry simply because I’ve extra confidence within the automobile and having extra confidence to push it to the restrict.”
Giant rookie class, main shifts amongst F1 groups
As the massive rookie class would point out, the season really contains a main shift amongst groups. Antonelli, for instance, has moved to Hamilton’s seat, whereas Hamilton has moved to Ferrari, changing Carlos Sainz, who’s now at Williams Racing.
“I really feel like this week has helped us have a little bit of a catch-up with my engineers and we appear to be transferring in the precise course,’’ stated Sainz, who gained twice final yr (at Australia and Mexico Metropolis) and completed fifth within the 2024 championship standings for Ferrari. “We nonetheless have a couple of bumps alongside the best way within the adaption course of as a result of we nonetheless want to find some issues. 5 races isn’t sufficient time to find your strengths and weaknesses or issues which will catch you abruptly however we’re trending in the precise course and that’s the primary factor,’’
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Drivers have been fast to reward the Miami circuit – a 19-turn, 3.363-mile journey round Exhausting Rock Stadium. This yr, no main modifications have been made to the course.
“I like the grand prix and suppose it is likely one of the finest for me when it comes to paddock expertise, ambiance,’’ stated two-time world champion, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.
“Perhaps the circuit of format isn’t most attention-grabbing for the motive force, however nonetheless it produces good reveals on Sundays and good overtaking alternatives in Flip 17 and turns 11-12. I don’t know that I’d change a lot.
“In the meanwhile I’ve nothing to say [against] Miami, it’s almost a ten out of a ten.’’
