This weekend the sixth Grand Prix of the season will take place in Miami. A city full of opportunities, wonders, and heat. Will last year’s winner, Lando Norris, McLaren, seize this opportunity to retake the championship lead? Can Charles Leclerc or Lewis Hamilton unleash Ferrari’s pace and will Max Verstappen, Red Bull, beat the odds to win the 2025 Miami GP?
The racetrack and quick facts
The Miami International Autodrome debuted in 2022. This track is 5.412 km long and has 19 corners, three straights and three DRS zones. The 57 laps will ensure a fierce race — an optimum racetrack for the second Sprint of the season.
Max Vestappen won the Grand Prix twice in Miami and held the Lap Record (1:29.708) in 2023.
Throwback to the F1 Miami GP 2024
On May 5th, 2024, a heated race took place. Verstappen, who took pole position, almost collided with his teammate Sergio Perez in the first turn. Leclerc and Carlos Sainz, former Ferrari teammates, were pushing forward from second and third positions.
As Verstappen pitted on lap 23, Oscar Piastri, McLaren’s former rookie, took the lead. Norris overtook teammate Piastri, as he pitted, and took the lead, followed by Verstappen and Leclerc. On lap 28, Kevin Magnussen, former Haas driver, and Logan Sargeant, former Williams driver, went off track after a collision involving Magnussen’s wheel contacting Sargeant’s car. This was very unfortunate as the American driver Sargeant was a fan favourite. The safety car might have hindered Verstappen from overtaking Norris, but even as the green flag turned on, Norris proceeded to maintain his pace even when Verstappen got fiercely close. Sainz managed to overtake Piastri in a fierce battle for fourth place, followed by Perez and Hamilton.
Norris was the first to finish the race and secured a win for McLaren as well as 25 points for the Drivers Championship. It was his first win after 110 Grands Prix with 15 podium positions. Norris was greatly celebrated by his team, as he brought McLaren one step closer to the win of the Constructors’ Championship.
Even though Piastri seemed to have an unlucky race, he managed to drive the fastest lap (1:30.634).
This race was certainly intense as the constant overtaking never seemed to cease. After all, the F1 Miami GP 2024 showcased that it is possible to defeat Red Bull and McLaren is a worthy opponent.
Lando Norris: will a “rivalry” interfere with the dynamic of McLaren?
The Briton won the first Grand Prix of the year and managed to get podium for the following Grands Prix except for Saudi Arabia (4th).
When he crashed in Q3 of Qualifying in the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, he realized even the smallest risks have significant consequences. In the difficult race, later on, he managed to take fourth place when he started at 10th. With that race, he lost his Championship lead to his teammate Piastri
While fans might think the “rivalry” could disrupt the dynamic of McLaren, Zak Brown clarifies that their relationship is not at risk.
Speaking to The Race, Brown said, “But I’m not worried about the outcome. Because we’ve discussed it, we know it’s more of a when than an if.
“Drivers can race each other very hard and very clean, and every once in a while, someone’s going to get it wrong. If you have two cars next to each other 24 times a year, it’s going to happen.
“But I think we have a relationship with our drivers, and the drivers with each other, that they can have an epic battle on track and shake hands at the end of it, even if it means there’s a little tangle in between.”
What can we expect from the GP in Miami this year?
After last year’s race, everyone can be certain, that Grand Prix Miami can be surprising, thrilling and adventurous. A close head-to-head race is to be expected. McLaren’s Piastri is a force to be reckoned with. And most importantly, will Lando Norris retake the Championship lead?
