Miami heats up with intense F1 action as initial practice session kicks off.
- George Russell leads Mercedes to early success on medium tires in Miami.
- Max Verstappen debuts Red Bull updates amidst newborn celebration.
- Oscar Piastri dominates with top lap time, overcoming chaotic session end.
- Unforeseen red flag disrupts drivers aiming for top spots in practice.
The anticipation was palpable as the first practice session of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix set the stage for an exciting weekend. With only one practice session scheduled due to the sprint format, every lap was crucial for the teams. The one-hour session, taking place on a sunny Friday in Florida, provided a valuable opportunity for teams to fine-tune their setups.
Arriving with the joy of his newborn, Lily, Max Verstappen hit the track eager to test Red Bull’s new upgrades. Verstappen topped the charts early after his first flying lap, drawing attention before heading back to the pits for strategic adjustments.
Mercedes claimed the spotlight as George Russell led a 1-2 on medium tires, pushing Kimi Antonelli into second place, while Williams’ Carlos Sainz secured third. Lando Norris faced an unexpected hurdle when he found two torches inside his car, prompting a team investigation for a potential safety breach.
The session intensified as drivers switched to soft tires, with just ten minutes left to prepare for Sprint Qualifying. This caused dynamic changes in the leaderboard, with Carlos Sainz jumping ahead with a time of 1:27.678, momentarily seizing the top.
Max Verstappen reclaimed his position with a rapid time, narrowly besting Sainz. However, McLaren’s championship leader Oscar Piastri surged ahead with a 1:27.128, leaving everyone trailing by nearly half a second. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc squeezed between Piastri and Verstappen with a competitive time, adding to the excitement.
Just as Lando Norris seemed poised to challenge Piastri’s dominance, disaster struck. Ollie Bearman’s Haas spun out, gently tapping the barriers, leading to a red flag. This premature halt caught some contenders off guard, thwarting their final attempts on the soft tires. Key players like Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, and Kimi Antonelli were unable to complete their fast laps—marking a dramatic conclusion to the session.
As the Miami Grand Prix weekend unfolds, anticipation builds following an electrifying practice session.
