This weekend is the fifth race of the year, the Formula 1 Miami GPwherein Fernando Alonso hopes to fight again for what could be his fourth podium in 5 appointmentsand where Carlos Sainz will want to recapture the confidence he showed in Australia with his Ferrari and he didn’t see last weekend in Baku.
Alonso, podium option for his best breakdown
Fernando Alonso chose the box because of the excellent race pace his car showed at this start. Without going any further, due to pure race performance, the Spaniard could have achieved the podium a week ago in Baku despite not having the best weekend for Aston Martin. If not for the ‘Safety Car’ that allowed Leclerc to change the medium tires when he was already suffering damage and when the Asturian could have taken more time in an Aston Martin that took more care of tires, Fernando’s podium should have become reality.
In Miami, with a higher temperature of the track, which can be around 50 degrees, the wear of the tires can be greater and the Spaniard can have more options against Ferrari and Mercedes. However, we have to see how the track behaves and the tires which for this GP are a step more difficult than Baku within the Pirelli range.
Three free skills
Aston Martin is coming off a struggle in Baku, where it was not as quick as expected in the second sector on both Friday and Saturday. Baku was a special weekend, because only a few free practice sessions were held and those in green were not able to correct their performance in that second sector because the car was in ‘park fermé’ from qualification on Friday. This weekend, in a traditional format, with 3 free practice sessions, Aston Martin and Fernando Alonso will arrive better prepared for the race, like the other teams. There is less room for surprises and Aston Martin’s performance is expected to be similar to the first three events.
The classification: Ferrari, new diffuser
Also, Aston Martin should have fixed their Baku issues with DRS. That element of the new wing they showed in Baku failed last week and doomed Alonso from qualifying. If he had not failed, he would have obviously chosen the fourth position and this would have allowed him to qualify for the podium much easier in the race than starting in 6th place.
The Oviedo player has to try to take a step forward to ‘deserve’. In its favor, the fast curve in Miami. Against, the long straight that has 1.2 km. Aston Martin must push for a turnaround in qualifying if it is to maximize its podium chances.
However, with one lap to go, both Red Bull and Ferrari are still ahead. And in that sense, The Italians will test a new diffuser in Miami that will reduce downforce to be faster on the straight.
Carlos Sainz wants to regain the level shown in Australia after his difficult weekend in Baku and fight for pole position with his teammate Charles Leclerc against Red Bull. At one point, Ferrari could re-opt everything. So, Alonso’s first goal is to beat Mercedes and, from there, try to take advantage of any opportunity to break into the Top-4.
Sainz, on the other hand, had to take a step forward to fight to get into the lead times after turn one. In the race should be another song. Ferrari will focus in FP2 on reducing their long-term wear and improving their race pace. We will have to see if time helps the Italians on Sunday.
Rain possible for Sunday
One of the elements that could play against Fernando Alonso is the rain. In the dry, with high temperatures, he has a great chance at the podium for Sunday. If it rains, more lotto. And if any clouds overshadow the circuit, even if it’s not raining, it could benefit Ferrari because of the possible drop in track temperature. which can reduce its damage.
The ‘Safety Car’
Last year’s event in Miami was marked by a ‘Safety Car’. This is the clear example that the safety car can come in at any moment during the race on Sunday. Fernando was hurt when the safety car entered Baku because he allowed Leclerc to put hard tires on his car. and did not give more time to the stocking. Alonso hopes he won’t touch the cross in that sense again. On the other hand, a priori, a fun race will give more options to a Ferrari that should be more difficult on Sunday.
On an urban circuit like Miami, any driving error can change things and develop ‘Salvation’ which brings an unexpected script twist.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
