Formula 1 returns to the United States this weekend as the street circuit around the Hard Rock Stadium hosts the Miami Grand Prix for the third time – and the second of six sprint weekends in 2024.
Max Verstappen was in dominant form last time out in China, winning both the sprint race and grand prix in Shanghai, and leads the world championship despite the current unrest at Red Bull which has led to Adrian Newey’s shock departure from the team this week, with Ferrari favourites to sign the star designer.
Sergio Perez is 25 points behind his team-mate in the standings, with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz next-best on the list. Lando Norris finished second in Shanghai as he continues to target a first win in F1, while Lewis Hamilton will be striving for more following his worst ever start to a season.
Miami was selected as one of six venues to host a sprint weekend by F1 this year. Verstappen has won the first two editions of the race, which first appeared on the calendar in 2022, and put his Red Bull on pole for the race on Saturday after also winning the sprint race.
Follow latest updates from the Miami Grand Prix with The Independent
Daniel Ricciardo:
“The morning was brilliant. Afternoon not so good. Different day today, we’ve got a long race.”
Ricciardo down in P20 today.
Kieran Jackson5 May 2024 20:50
Ferrari boss Fred Vasseur:
“We were slower than Red Bull yesterday but the start is important, if we can catch the DRS at the beginning it’s a game-changer!
“We need to finish lap one in good shape, position is crucial, yesterday was difficult to overtake.”
Kieran Jackson5 May 2024 20:48
Time for the US national anthem!
Star Spangled Banner plays out at the Miami International Autodrome!
Performed by Marc Anthony!
Kieran Jackson5 May 2024 20:47
Susie Wolff:
“We’ve had a fantastic weekend with F1 Academy – it couldn’t be better right now.”
Kieran Jackson5 May 2024 20:42
Driver Standings ahead of Miami Grand Prix
1. Max Verstappen – 118 points
2. Sergio Perez – 91 points
3. Charles Leclerc – 83 points
4. Carlos Sainz – 73 points
5. Lando Norris – 58 points
6. Oscar Piastri – 41 points
7. George Russell – 33 points
8. Fernando Alonso – 31 points
9. Lewis Hamilton – 19 points
10. Lance Stroll – 9 points
11. Yuki Tsunoda – 8 points
12. Oliver Bearman – 6 points
13. Nico Hulkenberg – 6 points
14. Daniel Ricciardo – 5 points
15. Kevin Magnussen – 1 point
16. Alex Albon – 0 points
17. Esteban Ocon – 0 points
18. Zhou Guanyu – 0 points
19. Pierre Gasly – 0 points
20. Valtteri Bottas – 0 points
21. Logan Sargeant – 0 points
Kieran Jackson5 May 2024 20:40
Lando Norris on Sky Sports:
“I see it going well. Car has been good all weekend, team has done a great job. I’m confident we can get some good points today.
“These hot conditions are not in our favour, we’re two-tenths off pole and I know we’re fifth, but it’s not bad at all. We can pressure the guys ahead, a confident position.
“Everything is about keeping the tyres good. All about hitting your marks!”
Norris starts fifth on the grid.
Kieran Jackson5 May 2024 20:31
MIAMI GP PREVIEW: Red Bull face battle to stop Jos Verstappen’s ‘explosion’ prediction coming true
“The team is in danger of being torn apart, it can’t go on the way it is – it will explode.” Those were the words of Max Verstappen’s father, Jos, amid the height of the Formula One soap-opera storm two months ago in Bahrain surrounding Christian Horner and the investigation into his conduct towards a female colleague.
Verstappen Sr is not one to shirk his words. Let’s be clear: whatever the reasons, he wanted Horner out. And though the dominance of his son on the track may seem never-ending, there may now be a conclusion of sorts in sight for this Red Bull juggernaut.
Kieran Jackson5 May 2024 20:26
Can Charles Leclerc get a march on Max Verstappen at the start?
Kieran Jackson5 May 2024 20:20
Starting grid for the Miami Grand Prix:
*Ricciardo has a three-place grid penalty carrying over from the last race in China
Kieran Jackson5 May 2024 20:16
Donald Trump waves to crowd and visits McLaren garage at F1 Miami Grand Prix
Donald Trump has arrived at Miami’s Hard Rock Stadium for Sunday’s F1 race as he takes a break from his high-profile hush-money trial in New York.
The security surrounding the event in Florida has been significantly increased following the former US President’s decision to attend the sixth round of the F1 campaign.
The 77-year-old, currently on trial in New York for allegedly falsifying documents to cover up hush money payment to adult film star Stormy Daniels, headed to the McLaren garage to meet the British team’s CEO Zak Brown, F1 boss Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.
Kieran Jackson5 May 2024 20:08
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
