The testing time at the Miami Grand Prix is over, everyone is already looking at the classification of this new event. In the three hours that were given to test and adapt to this recently opened track, no one has been safe from making mistakes, some were able to save the touch with the protections. However, others like Bottas, Sainz or Ocon did not have the same fate. We will see how they manage the situation when the need to find a good time in qualifying makes them rush every millimeter of the track, taking risks on this complicated track where grip can also play tricks on them. The wait is over, it’s time to enjoy the qualifying session of the Miami Grand Prix.
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ferrari
Charles Leclerc: “Max Verstappen will be fast” / Formula 1
written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief
Although Red Bull Racing star Max Verstappen reported problems on Friday training in Miami, Ferrari star Charles Leclerc is counting on the Formula 1 champion. He also has a strong opinion of Mercedes.
Charles Leclerc was able to look forward to a successful start to the Miami weekend. He was the fastest in the first practice session, and in the second session he was second behind George Russell. The Ferrari star was just under a tenth off the Briton’s best time of the day. His balance was correspondingly positive.
“The track conditions changed a lot throughout the day and the tarmac was unusual, very different from what we’ve seen before. As soon as you drive off the track, you slide like crazy. Every mistake, no matter how small, is costly,” said Monegasse, adding hastily: “The whole weekend and the race will be a challenge, but we got off to a good start.”
At the same time, the ambitious world championship leader demanded: “We definitely have to take a step forward and try to improve driving so that we can have a strong Saturday.” And he predicted: “The power density is higher than in the previous season, so it should be exciting.”
When asked regarding his main opponents and the problems of his rival Max Verstappen, Leclerc then explained: “Max will certainly be quick as soon as they have solved the problems. The big surprise at the moment is Mercedes, they also cut a fine figure with a lot of fuel on board. It would be great if they might fight with Red Bull Racing and us at the front.”
2. Training, Miami
01. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:29,938 min
02. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:30,044
03. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:30.150
04. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:30,179
05. Fernando Alonso (E), Alpine, 1: 30,372
06. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1: 30,535
07. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri, 1:30,547
08. Guanyu Zhou (RC), Alfa Romeo, 1:30,860
09. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:30,861
10. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1: 30,921
11. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:30.964
12. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren, 1:31.208
13. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, 1: 31,260
14. Sebastian Vettel (D), Aston Martin, 1:31,393
15. Mick Schumacher (D), Haas, 1:31,587
16. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:31,631
17. Alexander Albon (T), Williams, 1:31,710
18. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams, 1:32,913
19. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, no time
Not in action: Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo
1. Training, Miami
01. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, 1:31,098 min
02. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, 1:31,169
03. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:31,277
04. Sergio Perez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, 1:31.301
05. Pierre Gasly (F), AlphaTauri, 1:31,498
06. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, 1:31.528
07. Alexander Albon (T), Williams, 1:31,854
08. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, 1:31,956
09. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, 1: 32,559
10. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), McLaren, 1:32.592
11. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, 1: 32,615
12. Fernando Alonso (E), Alpine, 1: 32,884
13. Guanyu Zhou (RC), Alfa Romeo, 1:33,020
14. Sebastian Vettel (D), Aston Martin, 1:33,024
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, 1:33,417
16. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, 1:33,576
17. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), Alfa Romeo, 1: 33,773
18. Yuki Tsunoda (J), AlphaTauri, 1: 34,043
19. Mick Schumacher (D), Haas, 1:34,945
20. Nicholas Latifi (CDN), Williams, 1:35,637
First part of free practice
Cloudy. Dry. Air +33С, route +53…47С
The first training session at a new circuit is always interesting, especially since the track around the Hard Rock stadium in Miami resembled the one in Baku – even narrower, with close walls, slippery asphalt – and very hot weather.
In Miami, the surface was prepared to provide good grip, but still the cars slid, especially in the seventh and 17th turns, where fresh asphalt was laid at night.
In the first minutes, Leclerc and Tsunoda turned around, Verstappen touched the barrier without consequences for the car. Alpine staged a dangerous situation in the pit lane, releasing Esteban Okon right in front of Russell’s passing car, but George managed to stop. The stewards will look into this incident later.
Schumacher almost crashed into the car of Riccardo, who suddenly slowed down – the stewards will also take care of this.
Stroll and Vettel received a black-and-white flag warning for crossing the white line while entering the pit lane.
At the 34th minute, the session was stopped by red flags – Valtteri Bottas crashed the car, losing control on the curb in the seventh turn. Nine minutes later, the riders were able to leave once more.
Sainz spun on braking in Turn 4, blocked his tires and returned to the pits with a puncture.
Many worked with prepared novelties, focusing on their program, while the asphalt was gradually covered with a layer of used rubber, and did not leave with a small amount of fuel, which affected the balance of power.
Charles Leclerc took the lead with a lap time of 1:31.098.
Results of the first session
| Pilot | Team | Time | Difference | Circles |
| 1. Sh.Lekler | Ferrari | 1:31.098 | – | 25 |
| 2. D. Russell | Mercedes | 1:31.169 | 0.071 | 22 |
| 3. M. Verstappen | Red Bull | 1:31.277 | 0.179 | 14 |
| 4. C.Perez | Red Bull | 1:31.301 | 0.203 | 21 |
| 5. P.Gasley | AlphaTauri | 1:31.498 | 0.400 | 26 |
| 6. K. Sainz | Ferrari | 1:31.528 | 0.430 | 25 |
| 7. A. Elbon | Williams | 1:31.854 | 0.756 | 20 |
| 8. L. Hamilton | Mercedes | 1:31.956 | 0.858 | 22 |
| 9. K. Magnussen | Haas | 1:32.559 | 1.461 | 20 |
| 10. D. Riccardo | McLaren | 1:32.592 | 1.494 | 21 |
| 11. L. Norris | McLaren | 1:32.615 | 1.517 | 25 |
| 12. F. Alonso | Alpine | 1:32.884 | 1.786 | 30 |
| 13. Mr. Zhou | Alfa Romeo | 1:33.020 | 1.922 | 22 |
| 14. S. Vettel | Aston Martin | 1:33.024 | 1.926 | 23 |
| 15. E. Okon | Alpine | 1:33.417 | 2.319 | 27 |
| 16. L.Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:33.576 | 2.478 | 22 |
| 17. V. Bottas | Alfa Romeo | 1:33.773 | 2.675 | 13 |
| 18. Yu. Tsunoda | AlphaTauri | 1:34.043 | 2.945 | 26 |
| 19. M. Schumacher | Haas | 1:34.945 | 3.847 | 20 |
| 20. N. Latifi | Williams | 1:35.637 | 4.539 | 26 |
Now in the live ticker: All information from the Imola GP / Formula 1
written by Alexandra Hartman Editor-in-Chief
Formula 1 will make its debut in Europe in 2022, at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola. The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix is once once more regarding the hot duel between Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc.
Verstappen versus Leclerc, Part 4: The Dutch Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen and the Monegasque Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc have shaped the 2022 season so far, and they also showed a nice duel in the Imola sprint – not necessarily to the delight of the Tifosi in the end, Red Bull Racing driver Verstappen came out on top.
Charles Leclerc wants to win his second Grand Prix in Italy (following Monza 2019). He is joined by the 100,000 fans who descended on the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari today to witness a home win for the Reds at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
Don’t miss a moment of all the action from Imola with our live ticker.