Miami warns everyone on Free Practice 1 and Leclerc leads

When Formula 1 drivers found out they would be competing in Miami this year, it was all smiles in the paddock. Everyone celebrated it. Possibly they imagined themselves enjoying their beach and having fun, holding a mojito, enjoying life on the highest level. It is possible that someone will fulfill that request after this weekend. But what they didn’t expect was that they would go to Miami to suffer. They understood the moment they jumped on a track that surprised everyone. The Miami International Autodrome, located in the Hard Rock Stadium complex in Miami Gardens, has been a concern for everyone from the start because of its complexity.

First of all, the asphalt is very green and drivers have a hard time stopping their vehicles at the end of their fast directions (this track has 3 DRS zones). But most of all, because of how close the walls are in some parts. From turns 11 to 16, it was like Monaco, with a very narrow track between the walls where only one car could fit, with some curves at 80 km/h, very slow. And at that point, the track warned everyone to qualify earlier than ever: running into a car there could ruin anyone’s fastest lap attempt.

But the main warning is who gave the track to Bottas, and consequently, to everyone: this track doesn’t allow for a lot of mistakes. Valtteri carried the first red flag of a busy weekend where incidents and surprises can be constant.

Carlos Sainz, who lost the car at high speed, was even luckier not to collide with the wall. His rotation, however, caused him to puncture his new soft tire, so the Madrid native was unable to set time in his qualifying simulation on the red wheel. That explains why Sainz finished in 6th, as he had to mark his time with a moderate tire. His teammate Leclerc was able to make a good lap, which helped him dominate the session with just 71 thousandths of an advantage over Russell, 0 “179 over Verstappen and 0” 203 over Pérez, with Gasly 5th. in the fourth tenth.

In that sense, we need to know Max’s car. By the end of the session there was a lot of haste and tension in the Dutchman’s box, a clear sign that they needed to make some important parts changes. Another failure in your power unit? Red Bull has taken a step forward in performance with the improvements it has caused to Imola and Max needs his car to not fail again as in the first few races to continue to put pressure on Leclerc.

For his part, after Sainz (6th) and Albon (7th), Hamilton was 8th, staying 8 tenths behind George. And it’s instead of worrying that the FIA ​​will let him keep his holes while driving an F1, he should worry more about the high level his teammate continues to display, which he surpassed in the last three races in a row. The Englishman ran into traffic in the crooked area and set his time on his second attempt at soft rubber, something that could hurt him.

Alonso was confident before Free Practice 1 started because of Alpine’s good performance at the start of the World Championship, especially on the fast tracks. Miami’s long straight road needs to be allied, although on a track where it’s very difficult to find the right set up and the right compromise between fast areas and slow areas such as the 11th to 16th sector, nothing to do. . take it for granted. So far, Alonso has started more than expected, being 12th, 1 “7 off the fastest time, with his teammate Ocon in 15th position, 2” 3 off the best time.