“Race Recap: Verstappen Makes Fifth Place Comeback in Miami GP”

The Dutch world champion also surpasses Gasly who is also forced to give his position to Russell.

Verstappen jumps Russell and is fifth, behind Gasly by less than a second. Leclerc always eighth.

And Verstappen signs the first fastest lap in 1’32″875. Half a second faster than Perez in the circumstance.

Verstappen is chasing Russell’s fifth place and turns fuchsia in the first sector. Leclerc less than a second from Magnussen. Perez-Alonso-Sainz always in the lead.

Perez tries to stretch and make a vacuum, Alonso doesn’t let go

Double overtaking by Verstappen in the Magnussen-Leclerc duel on the finish straight. He begins the fourth in sixth position.

At the start of the second lap Verstappen overtook Bottas, p eighth and in pursuit of Magnussen. In the lead, Perez already has a one second advantage over Alonso and two over Sainz. Sargeant is the first to pit for a Williams wing change.

Leclerc immediately passes Magnussen and is sixth; Verstappen, who had lost the position with Bottas, overtook Ocon and is still ninth.

Perez maintains pole, Sainz remains third behind Alonso. Verstappen with the white rubber.

Perez laps very slowly, Alonso complains about it to the pits.

The 57 laps of the race will follow.

The mechanics carry out the last operations on the cars of the 20 drivers.

A pipe broke and the pitch flooded. The mechanics dried it with powerful turbo blow dryers.

The hymn sung by Gale plays.

Let’s summarize the top ten grid positions:

1. Sergio Perez (Mex) Red Bull 1’26”841 at an average of 224.354 km/h
2. Fernando Alonso (Esp) Aston Martin 1’27”202

3. Carlos Sainz (Span) Ferrari 1’27”349
4. Kevin Magnussen (Dan) Haas 1’27”767

5. Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine 1’27”786
6. George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes 1’27”804

7. Charles Leclerc (My) Ferrari 1’27”861
8. Esteban Ocon (From) Alpine 1’27”935

9. Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull 1’27”363
10. Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Alfa Romeo 1’27”363

However, after yesterday’s accident Charles Leclerc does not lose optimism. And in the pre-match, to the microphones of Sky Sport, he dismissed the incident as something that happens, specifying: «I have a little pain in my neck but I want to do my best, I want the points. It could also rain, it will count to bring home points. I can’t wait to get back in the car and have a good race.”
However, in the parade preceding the Grand Prix, he and Sainz appeared very relaxed and smiling.

Hazy sky around Hard Rock Stadium, Miami. It’s around 24 degrees, a temperature that should help slow down tire degradation. No rain is forecast for today. There is wind, however, which could disturb the pilots.

After Charles Leclerc’s accident yesterday at the end of Q3 (last qualifying session), the SF-23 was obviously subjected to checks by the mechanics after the impact with the barriers at turn 6. There have been some changes to the car: The entire rear including the gearbox has been replaced (with a previously used one). Also replacement for rear wing and bottom. They are all elements of the same specification as the previous ones so there is no penalty for the Monegasque.

Leclerc’s accident also mocked Verstappen: in fact, qualifying was interrupted before the end and the Dutchman on the Red Bull was unable to set the time. But today in the race he intends to start the comeback and, given the pace he showed in practice, it’s easy that he will succeed.

Great show in Saturday qualifying. Perez rejoices, who starts in front of everyone. Alonso immediately behind, Sainz opens the second row. Leclerc goes to the block and is seventh, badly Verstappen (ninth). READ the full article HERE

Less and less until the start of the Miami GP. Great show on the track, in the paddock and in the grandstands. READ HERE the guide on where to see the race on TV and times.