Miami Grand Prix 2025: Verstappen Outpaced, Retirements M… Read more
The 2025 Miami Grand Prix delivered a thrilling spectacle, featuring high drama, retirements, intense rivalries, and a commanding performance by McLaren. Oscar Piastri led the team to an impressive one-two finish, with teammate Lando Norris taking second place. Meanwhile, reigning world champion Max Verstappen endured a frustrating race, finishing fourth and trailing the McLaren duo by over 30 seconds.
The action began right from the first lap as Norris attempted an aggressive move on Verstappen. The Briton tried to overtake the Red Bull driver but went wide, lost control, and dropped three positions after leaving the track. Over the team radio, Norris expressed his frustration, accusing Verstappen of forcing him wide, although the incident wasn’t reviewed by the race stewards.
Despite this early setback, Norris managed to regroup. The ongoing squabbles between Norris and Verstappen provided an opening for Piastri to pull ahead and build a significant lead. Norris eventually overtook Verstappen for second place on lap 18, but the damage from lap one had already ruled him out of a realistic shot at victory. Piastri capitalized on the chaos behind him to secure a relatively unchallenged race win, clocking a race time of 1:30.761.
Behind the leading trio, George Russell of Mercedes completed the podium in third, finishing more than 37 seconds behind Norris. Verstappen, in a rare off-form display, had to settle for fourth place. Williams’ Alex Albon had a standout performance, finishing fifth, while young Mercedes talent Kimi Antonelli claimed sixth. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finished seventh and eighth, respectively, although Hamilton’s race was marred by a series of heated radio exchanges.
Hamilton’s frustration became evident as he found himself stuck behind Leclerc for several laps. Ferrari’s team strategy delayed a driver switch, prompting a series of sarcastic and annoyed messages from Hamilton. When finally informed about the team orders to swap positions, he quipped, “Have a tea break while you’re at it, come on!” Later, when told Carlos Sainz was closing in, he snapped, “Want me to let him past as well?”
Sainz, driving for Williams, ended the race in ninth, just behind his former Ferrari teammate. Rounding out the top ten was Yuki Tsunoda of Red Bull, followed closely by Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls in 11th. Esteban Ocon (Haas), Pierre Gasly (Alpine), and Nico Hülkenberg (Kick Sauber) occupied the lower midfield spots, while both Aston Martins — Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll — finished a lap down in 14th and 15th respectively.
The race was also notable for its high number of retirements. Four drivers failed to finish. Jack Doohan suffered a puncture on the opening lap, forcing an early retirement and triggering a virtual safety car. Later, Ollie Bearman’s Haas car suffered an engine failure on lap 29, marking the second retirement of the race.
A third virtual safety car was deployed after Gabriel Bortoleto’s Sauber came to a halt on the back straight due to engine issues. Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls became the fourth and final retirement, with severe damage to the car’s floor compromising his ability to continue competitively.
The 2025 season also saw a notable rule change — the elimination of the fastest lap bonus point. Since 2019, drivers had earned an extra point if they clocked the fastest lap while finishing in the top 10. However, the rule led to strategic manipulation, with some drivers pitting late solely to grab the extra point or deny rivals from doing so. A particularly controversial moment occurred during the 2024 Singapore Grand Prix when Daniel Ricciardo, in his final F1 appearance, pitted late to snatch the fastest lap from Lando Norris, helping Verstappen in his title chase.
This Miami race confirms McLaren’s resurgence as a genuine contender in the 2025 season. Oscar Piastri’s dominant win and Lando Norris’s recovery drive underline the team’s competitive edge. Meanwhile, Verstappen’s inability to keep pace with the McLaren duo raises questions about Red Bull’s consistency. As the championship battle heats up, the drama on and off the track suggests that the 2025 season is far from predictable.
Miami Grand Prix 2025 – Top 10 Results:
1. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:30.761
2. Lando Norris (McLaren) – +4.630
3. George Russell (Mercedes) – +37.644
4. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +39.956
5. Alex Albon (Williams) – +48.067
6. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +55.502
7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +57.036
8. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – +60.186
9. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +60.577
10. Yuki Tsunoda (Red Bull) – +74.434
