Max Verstappen Sets the Pace in Miami Grand Prix Free Practice Session 1
Formula 1 descended upon the Miami International Autodrome for the Free Practice Session 1 of the 2024 F1 Miami Grand Prix. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen wasted no time in asserting his dominance, setting the pace with a lap time of 1:28.595 seconds. This put him in prime position for a potential three-peat in Miami. The Dutchman’s performance left no doubt about his intentions for the weekend ahead.
Verstappen faced stiff competition from McLaren’s rising star, Oscar Piastri, who showcased his speed by securing the second spot on the timesheets, trailing Verstappen by a mere 0.105s.
Meanwhile, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz clocked in at the third position, highlighting the team’s mixed fortunes in the morning session. However, Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc encountered a spin and brought out the red flag just 10 minutes into the session, briefly halting the action on track.
Mercedes’ George Russell, secured the fourth fastest time, closely followed by Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll, rounding off the top five. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, eager to replicate his pole position success from the previous year in Miami, settled for sixth, while Mercedes’ seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton trailed closely behind in seventh.
Positive Signs
One team that has looked to have made progress after the practice session was Alpine. Previously, Alpine has been languishing at the bottom of the tables during past Grand Prix’s. But at least for this session, the Alpine duo of Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly showed signs of life by finishing 9th and 10th respectively on the timesheets.
Full results of the first practice session can be found here.
Adding to the excitement, the weekend’s schedule is a sprint race format for the second consecutive grand prix, leaving teams with limited practice time to fine-tune their setups and strategies. With only one practice session to dial in their cars, the stakes are higher than ever as drivers and teams prepare for a weekend of racing action in the vibrant city of Miami.
