The Formula One travelling circus brought the party to South Florida in 2022, and there was plenty of drama and theatrics across the weekend in the inaugural Miami Grand Prix. Starting from third, Max Verstappen overtook both scarlet Ferrari’s in the opening stages of the race before resisting some late pressure from Charles Leclerc to take his third victory of the season. Carlos Sainz followed up two disappointing races in Australia and Imola with a podium, Sergio Perez survived some engine difficulties to cross the line in fourth, while Mercedes bagged a substantial points haul with Russell and Hamilton finishing P5 and P6, respectively.
While the racing wasn’t vintage or high-octane, there is plenty to unpack from F1’s first visit to South Beach, and here are the four things we learned from the 2022 Miami Grand Prix.
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It was clear that F1 owners Liberty Media were looking to position the Miami Grand Prix as the American version of Monaco. With the fake marina and yachts installed around the circuit and the long-list of A-list celebrities in attendance, Miami was definitely more about the event and the spectacle than just the race itself. However, in keeping with the theme of Monaco, the Grand Prix itself wasn’t must-see TV, with very little action on track throughout the 57 laps. Barring some late drama caused by a safety car and a straightforward changing of the lead in the opening stages, it was a mediocre race with not much to write home about due to the limited overtaking opportunities for the drivers.
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The straight-line speed of the Red Bull engine has already become a recurring theme in the 2022 F1 World Championship, and this extra horsepower down the straights was one of the primary reasons behind Max Verstappen taking home the chequered flag in Miami. Despite starting in third, the Dutchman comfortably passed both Ferraris in the opening stint on the mediums.
Verstappen zoomed past Sainz off the grid before nonchalantly taking down Leclerc on the main straight, thanks to the extra horsepower in the back of the Red Bull and some DRS assistance. This top speed also allowed Verstappen to defend any Leclerc attack following the safety car restart without any discomfort, and after some early reliability issues to start the season, the Red Bull is finally beginning to look like the real championship favourite in 2022.
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George Russell is quietly having an excellent season with Mercedes and the Briton is now the only driver to finish in the top five in all five races to start this season. Despite joining a new team in an underperforming car with a 7-time world champion for a team-mate, Russell has looked completely at home in the Silver Arrow and has displayed raw speed, tremendous race-craft and consistency.
In Miami, Russell overcame a poor qualifying session which saw him finish P12 by driving an excellent race on Sunday. Starting the race on the hards, Russell fell back on the opening lap but displayed incredible tyre management in the hot conditions to extend his first stint till the Lando-Gasly incident before pitting under the safety car for softs and comfortably passing Hamilton to finish in P5.
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There were plenty of huge names in attendance at the Miami Grand Prix with the likes of DJ Khaled, Dwayne Wade, Ashton Kutcher, the Williams sisters and will.I.Am watching the action unfold around the streets of South Florida.
However, nothing can match this legendary picture taken pre-race. Who is the biggest GOAT in this photo?
[Featured Image Credit: Red Bull Content Pool]
Shivaan Shah