There was a protracted battle for the lead between Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri, one other between the Dutchman and Lando Norris, a sensational dash pole lap from Andrea Kimi Antonelli – and an excellent efficiency from Alex Albon…
The 2025 Miami Grand Prix supplied loads to speak about.
Far more than simply ‘a story’: Verstappen doesn’t have the weapons he wants
After we spoke to Andrea Stella after Verstappen secured pole on Saturday, the McLaren staff boss remarked that Pink Bull creates “a story.” Stella believes the RB21 is a greater automotive than Pink Bull implies – however the Miami Grand Prix painted a distinct image.
Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Picture by: Pink Bull Content material Pool
Sure, Verstappen could make the distinction over a single lap, however he doesn’t have the instruments he must match McLaren’s race tempo over a full race. That turned more and more apparent on observe across the Onerous Rock Stadium. Verstappen impressed along with his pole lap and fought exhausting within the early levels, however as soon as Piastri and Norris received previous him, the hole in tyre degradation was stark.
The digital security automotive timing didn’t play into Verstappen’s palms, and operating an older engine than each McLaren and Mercedes actually didn’t assist. The Miami weekend was an unlucky one for Verstappen – however above all, it revealed that Pink Bull merely isn’t there but.
– Ronald Vording
Norris’ battle with Verstappen denies him the win in Miami
As soon as once more, it was too little, too late for Norris in his battle with Verstappen. He couldn’t capitalise on his rival’s deep defence into Flip 1, after which fell into the Dutchman’s lure by operating off observe in Flip 2 – dropping so far as sixth within the course of. Had he dealt with the state of affairs in a different way, Norris would probably have had one other alternative to move Verstappen, given McLaren’s superior tempo in comparison with the Pink Bull.
Lando Norris, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Pink Bull Racing
Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photos
Though he recovered rapidly with sturdy strikes on Albon’s Williams and the Mercedes automobiles of George Russell and Antonelli, the beginning proved to be the decisive second of his race.
Norris had a shot at redemption when he caught Verstappen after the Pink Bull driver misplaced the result in Piastri. However it took him three makes an attempt to make the transfer stick – together with one effort the place he pushed Verstappen huge at Flip 11 on lap 18, sending each automobiles off the observe and forcing him to present the place again.
He lastly received the job finished on the next lap, however by then Piastri had pulled clear, and Norris needed to accept second as his teammate cruised to his third consecutive win – and fourth in six Grands Prix up to now in 2025.
– Federico Faturos
Williams now clear favorite for P5 in constructors’ championship
Nonetheless utilizing Excel spreadsheets as a substitute of extra trendy IT options? It is likely to be time to name James Vowles and Pat Fry to repair that.
Alex Albon, Williams
Picture by: James Sutton / Motorsport Photos
Jokes apart, Williams’ progress is actual. Carlos Sainz irritated fairly a number of fellow drivers final 12 months by taking his time to weigh all his choices – but it surely was clearly value it. The Miami race will need to have felt satisfying for the Spaniard. Not even in his sweetest goals did he think about he’d be preventing Ferraris on advantage.
In Miami, Williams had been the fourth-fastest staff – and that most likely gained’t be the case at many tracks this 12 months. However with highs like this, Vowles’ staff ought to clearly keep forward of their predominant midfield rivals.
– Oleg Karpov
Ferrari ought to contemplate switching focus to 2026
“It’s simply irritating as a result of while you give your greatest and one of the best is P8 with a Ferrari, it hurts,” Charles Leclerc informed Sky Sports activities after qualifying. “And the 2 Williams are additionally in entrance of us, on a standard lap.”
Expectations forward of the season had been fairly excessive. Ferrari opted to revamp its automotive – and it regarded like a real try and get again within the struggle for titles. With Lewis Hamilton set to affix, there was added hype across the Scuderia – however the Miami Grand Prix supplied a sobering actuality examine. Not solely is Ferrari failing to catch its supposed rivals, it’s truly slowly falling behind.
Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari
Picture by: Sam Bagnall / Motorsport Photos
With 2026 set to deliver huge regulation adjustments, it won’t be unreasonable for Ferrari to just accept that this season can’t be salvaged – and as a substitute shift all out there sources to the following venture. At this charge, 2025 gained’t simply fall in need of expectations – it dangers turning into one other wasted 12 months.
– Oleg Karpov
Wolff is correct: Antonelli is the true deal
Whereas Antonelli was nonetheless struggling in F2, Toto Wolff’s choice to signal the Italian teenager for 2025 didn’t appear totally convincing. Sure, everybody understood that the Mercedes boss wouldn’t place his belief in Kimi except he was positive of the teenager’s distinctive expertise – but there remained a lingering doubt: wasn’t this simply an try and make up for lacking out on Max Verstappen again in 2016?
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Picture by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Photos
Now, it is turning into more and more clear that it wasn’t simply that. Miami proved Kimi is the true deal. Securing pole for the dash and being the faster of the 2 Mercedes drivers in solely his fifth F1 race weekend is significantly spectacular – particularly given George Russell’s kind this 12 months.
Sure, Russell nonetheless completed larger – but it surely’s truthful to say that wasn’t with out a little bit of luck. Antonelli’s first podium is coming – and moderately quickly.
– Oleg Karpov
Images from Miami GP – Race
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