2023-05-05 21:08:18
A year ago, the Miami International Autodrome amazed the Formula 1 drivers: technically demanding track layout, very rough surface that was beginning to break up, and the hot and humid climate. “It’s almost like Singapore here,” moaned Aston Martin star Fernando Alonso.
In 2023, muggy Florida weather is a constant, but the track has received a new surface. The drivers went out on the track at 30 degrees, track temperature 51 degrees. After 60 Baku minutes before the first qualifying session, three hours of free practice here in Miami, pure luxury to set up the cars on this track with 19 corners and a top speed of 350 km/h, half of it Round here the drivers go full throttle.
Under the eyes of Miami Dolphins star Tyreek Hill (guest of Alpine), the American even in the overalls of the French
Already in the first lap there was a lot going on on the track: the drivers were eager to get to know the new surface, for which the Americans had gotten advice from Hermann Tilke’s architectural office.
Max Verstappen briefly slipped next to the track, but was able to continue straight away, his Baku opponent George Russell complained about vibrations in the steering: “I really have trouble with the steering wheel, so I’m not learning anything here.” Russell came into the pits, the hard-working mechanics threw themselves on the car – to change the entire steering column! Russell took off his helmet and looked at it all. Mercedes confirmed that a new experimental part was installed. experiment aborted.
The drivers slid around quite a bit. Sports car world champion Anthony Davidson: “The new surface sweats out oils, which should get better over time. I don’t think this will last.”
After a harmless spin by AlphaTauri driver Nyck de Vries, the race stewards intervened: an investigation into dangerous driving. The Dutchman drove against the direction of travel to throw the car around at turn 11 after the spin. The commissioners decided: no criminal action.
The race commissioners here: Ex-GP driver and Indy 500 winner Danny Sullivan, plus Nish Shetty (Singapore), Matteo Perini (Italy) and Dennis Dean (USA).
Max Verstappen scolded on the radio: “If you’re a millimeter off the ideal line, you’re just sliding around.”
Standing after 20 minutes: Verstappen almost seven tenths of a second ahead of Ferrari driver Leclerc, then Alonso, Ham,ilton, Pérez and Sainz, Nico Hülkenberg in 12th place.
After half an hour, Nico was the first driver to accept a soft Pirelli, a new best time, four tenths ahead of Verstappen. There is no championship point for this, but there were many smiling faces in the Haas box. Kevin Magnussen, also on soft Pirelli, lost almost half a second on Hülki.
Shortly thereafter, world champion Verstappen also pulled out with soft tires, the car was very nervous, new best time, but only four tenths ahead of Hülkenberg, there is definitely more to come.
After a nine-minute break, things continued: Max Verstappen improved by half a second, this time with a better lap, now almost nine tenths ahead of Hülkenberg. Shortly thereafter, the Ferrari drivers advanced, Sainz second fastest ahead of Leclerc, followed by Alonso, then Leclerc catapulted himself into second place behind world champion Verstappen.
But it was up to Mercedes to put the final exclamation point: with the checkered flag dropped, Mercedes took the lead, with Russell ahead of Hamilton.
Conclusion after the first 60 minutes: drivers and engineers still have a lot to learn, the Haas team has a lot of work to do before the second practice session.
1. Training, Miami
01. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:30,125 min
02. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:30,337
03. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:30,449
04. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:30,549
05. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:30.724
06. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, 1:31,104
07. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, 1:31.231
08. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:31,337
09. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, 1:31,392
10. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:31,542
11. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:31.566
12. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, 1:31.810
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1:31.853
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, 1:31,902
15. Alex Albon (T), Williams, 1:31,903
16. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1:31.997
17. Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Alfa Romeo, 1:32,134
18. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, 1:32, 169
19. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, 1:32,619
20. Nyck de Vries (NL), AlphaTauri, 1:34,637
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#Training #Miami #Mercedes #shocked #Hülki #crash