F1

The Red Bull defending world champion overtook pole-position Charles Leclerc early in the race and held the position to the chequered flag.

33/57 Hamilton is in seventh and George Russell is in fifth. 32/57 Verstappen’s lead over Leclerc is 7.5 seconds, and those two look the likely 1-2 come the end of the race. 42/57 Hamilton is coming in while the safety car is out, and on soft tyres. Leclerc is showing the fastest times around the middle section, and in comes Sainz to change his tyres, having led for barely a lap. 38/57 Verstappen has the fastest lap now, worth an extra point, of course. 41/57 Famous last words from Phil as Lando Norris comes a cropper, and there is a safety car. 51/57 Leclerc continues to chase down Verstappen, who is better round the bends even if the Red Bull has the better on the straight. 46/57 The fans in the stands look a bit perplexed by this safety car malarkey, it’s not the racing they came to see. Verstappen gets a jump on Leclerc as Perez chases Sainz. Is there a yellow flag on the play? Perez in fourth, with the Mercs of Russell and Hamilton in fifth and sixth. 53/57 This is close at the front, and any mistake now would surely decide the outcome. 52/57 Leclerc and Verstappen go at it once more.

Formula 1 drivers have criticised the surface of the new Miami Grand Prix track, leading to Red Bull driver Sergio Perez calling it “a joke.”

So when you come to it, and then they're trying something new with the surface, and something they've not really done before, then I think we end up in a position like we are. So I don't want to lie and say I like the surface.” “You literally have to just stay on that one line,” he said. “There's like rubble out of line, so it's going to be difficult. It's very difficult to race like this.” “It's still very difficult to go offline,” he said.

Max Verstappen edged past Charles Leclerc, and Mercedes had a topsy turvy weekend. But was the track actually successful?

The important thing is that we’re able to race, and I will be able to race as well.” Ocon said on Sunday that he felt “50%” after the race, still feeling the after effects from Saturday’s crash. That was a shame not to see that implemented.” “When the car and tires are in the right window the car, except for the bouncing, feels really good to drive. Sainz and Esteban Ocon crashed in the same turn a day apart from each other, but both said the crash was harder than it should have been. So, I’m just grateful for everyone continuing to keep their heads down and for the amazing hard work that everyone is putting in.” There was improvement in terms of how the team was finishing. George Russell previously highlighted that Imola was “the first weekend where I’ve been truly struggling with my back and, like, chest pains from the severity of the bouncing. With over 20 laps to go, the AlphaTauri star had contact with Fernando Alonso and was running slower. Typically the cause is related to the cars’ aerodynamics. Meanwhile, the Ferrari star appeared to struggle despite running in the top two spots consistently throughout the afternoon, saying at one point “The car is so difficult to drive,” before pitting for hard tires. Weather, including the heat, aside, numerous drivers complained about the track, and Mercedes had a topsy turvy weekend that leaves everyone wondering if they have found a possible fix for the porpoising.

Charles Leclerc hopes upgrades can help Ferrari make a step up at the next Formula 1 race in Spain following defeat to Max Verstappen in the Miami Grand ...

“Today they had the advantage in terms of pace. But it was fun. Speaking after the Miami race, Leclerc said: “We need to we need to keep pushing.

Miami Formula 1 chiefs have vowed to make whatever changes are needed at their track for next year to ensure the race is a success.

And we'll make whatever changes we need to, if we need to, to make the track as good as we can." "But if you can't get out the racing line, you can't pass. But it is a bit of a necessary evil through there to get them to slow down."

Things immediately felt different when former American race car driver Willy T. Ribbs was handed the microphone to conduct the post-race top-three interviews.

Once at the podium, Verstappen, Leclerc and Carlos Sainz were handed American football helmets which they were forced to wear. Christian Horner and his wife Geri broke out into a run as they were forced to make the long journey while escorted by police bikes. Next, personnel from Red Bull and Ferrari made a long journey under Hard Rock Stadium to the podium on the other side.