scroll
Scroll downfor the latest news

Miami FP1: Max quickest in crucial practice session

Published on 03 May 2024 by Stefan Meens

Max Verstappen clocked the fastest lap time in the first and only practice session of the Miami Grand Prix. During the hour-long session, the reigning world champion mainly focussed on the RB20’s long run pace round the Miami International Autodrome. Nevertheless, Max was able to set the best time in the final minutes of the session. McLaren’s Oscar Piastri was second quickest with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz in third.

Max, sporting a special livery for the Miami Grand Prix, starts his weekend with a run on the medium Pirellis. He is unable to complete a long run due to the session being red flagged, ten minutes into FP1. Charles Leclerc has spun his Ferrari on the exit of turn sixteen. Initially, a yellow flag appears to suffice, but when it becomes clear that Leclerc’s car is stranded, race control throws a red flag.

A couple of minutes later, the circuit is given the all clear and the session resumes. Perez is the early pace setter, whilst Max continues to gain valuable track time by completing more laps on the medium Pirellis.

At the halfway mark, Perez is quickest ahead of Hamilton, Russell (both Mercedes), Sainz and Ocon (Alpine). Meanwhile, Max is continuing to circle the Miami street circuit on the medium Pirelli tyres, having dropped down the order.

With ten minutes to go, Max bolts on a new set of softs to attempt a flurry of quick laps. In the closing stages, Gasly (Alpine), Sainz, Russell and Perez all occupy P1 for a short amount of time before Max sets a 1:28.595, the quickest lap time of the session.

Contest GP Miami: win a by Max Verstappen signed Verstappen.com Racing cap!

Results first free practice Miami:

posdriverteamtimegaplaps
1Max VerstappenVERRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:28.595 25
2Oscar PiastriPIAMcLaren Mercedes1:28.700+0.105s24
3Carlos SainzSAIFerrari1:28.711+0.116s24
4George RussellRUSMercedes1:28.784+0.189s26
5Lance StrollSTRAston Martin Mercedes1:28.817+0.222s25
6Sergio PerezPERRed Bull Racing Honda RBPT1:28.868+0.273s23
7Lewis HamiltonHAMMercedes1:29.012+0.417s24
8Yuki TsunodaTSURB Honda RBPT1:29.056+0.461s25
9Esteban OconOCOAlpine Renault1:29.163+0.568s23
10Pierre GaslyGASAlpine Renault1:29.175+0.580s27
11Daniel RicciardoRICRB Honda RBPT1:29.178+0.583s27
12Kevin MagnussenMAGHaas Ferrari1:29.189+0.594s26
13Nico HulkenbergHULHaas Ferrari1:29.314+0.719s25
14Alexander AlbonALBWilliams Mercedes1:29.393+0.798s24
15Zhou GuanyuZHOKick Sauber Ferrari1:29.445+0.850s24
16Lando NorrisNORMcLaren Mercedes1:29.495+0.900s21
17Valtteri BottasBOTKick Sauber Ferrari1:29.636+1.041s23
18Logan SargeantSARWilliams Mercedes1:29.891+1.296s23
19Fernando AlonsoALOAston Martin Mercedes1:30.023+1.428s22
20Charles LeclercLECFerrari1:32.099+3.504s3