Max quickest on Friday Miami GP: 'It was a good day'

Published on 06 May 2023 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen topped the timing sheets at the end of Friday practice of the Miami Grand Prix. After a fourth place in FP1, the Dutchman was quickest in the afternoon session, ahead of Carlos Sainz and his Ferrari teammate Charles LeClerc. Max’ Oracle Red Bull Racing colleague Sergio Perez was fourth fastest. 

"It was a good day”, reflected Max. “At the start we had to get used to the track surface, but the grip improved throughout the day. I felt good in the car and had a good balance.” 

The reigning champion added: “It was slippery, especially off the racing line, but that’s the same for everyone. The main thing is that we had a good balance to build on and I’m happy with that.” 

Looking ahead to the remainder of the weekend, Max said: “There are a few things we’ll need to work on. Normally you want to be fast in every turn, but that’s not always possible. But in general, it was a positive day.” 

At the start of FP2, the ambient temperatures remain high with 28 degrees, but the track temperature has dropped to 40 degrees from 48 in practice one.

In the opening phase of the session, Max hits the track running by clocking the fastest time on his opening timed lap. He does so on the medium Pirellis. Soon after, the Ferraris join the squabble for top spot with both Sainz and Leclerc bettering Max’ effort. On his next flying lap, the Red Bull Racer regains P1, before heading back to the pits.

Twenty minutes into the session, the focus for many teams shifts to qualifying simulations, with the soft tyre the compound of choice. Max’ first effort is the quickest time thus far and his subsequent flying lap cements his spot at the top of the table for the remainder of the session.  

In the final third, attention moves to long runs, meaning the lap times set during the qualifying simulations are not improved upon. Nevertheless, the action on track continues, calumniating in a red flag with eight minutes to go; Charles Leclerc has lost control of his Ferrari and has ended up in the tyre barriers in turn seven. Despite some of the Tecpro barriers needing to be put back in position, the session is resumed with four minutes to go, but the leaderboard remains unchanged with Max ending Friday practice in P1. 

Contest GP Miami: win a by Max Verstappen signed 1:2 Miami GP 2022 helmet!

Results second free practice Miami: