Miami Grand Prix weekend is officially up and running after Formula One stars took to the track for the first time in a practice session on Friday.
The likes of Lewis Hamilton, Charles Leclerc and reigning champion Max Verstappen went through the gears at the Miami International Autodrome two days out from Sunday’s race, with the latter recording the fastest time at 1:28:595.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, Mercedes’ George Russell and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll made up the rest of the top five.
Later on Friday, drivers will return to the track for qualifying ahead of Saturday afternoon’s sprint race, which takes place a few hours before qualifying for the main event is contested.
Verstappen has won four races out of five this season, with Sainz the only driver to beat him so far at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March.
Miami Grand Prix weekend is officially up and running after Formula One stars took to the track for the first time in a practice session on Friday
Reigning champion Max Verstappen recorded the fastest time in practice at at 1:28:595
Drivers will return to the track later on Friday for qualifying ahead of Saturday’s sprint race
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner looks on ahead of the practice session in Miami
The Red Bull superstar addressed his future with the team on Thursday amid speculation that it is uncertain following the shock departure of car designer Adrian Newey.
The scandal surrounding Christian Horner, who was recently accused of ‘coercive behavior towards a female employee’, is another factor which some believe has left Verstappen’s future in doubt.
‘Not at the moment,’ he told reporters, when asked whether recent events were affecting his decision-making.
‘I cannot deny that I would have preferred [Newey] to stay because of how he is as a person, his knowledge and what he would bring to potentially another team,’ Verstappen admitted.
Despite Newey’s exit, the Dutch driver said he has faith in the rest of Red Bull’s design team, noting that the Chief Technology Officer’s role had ‘changed’ a lot since he joined in 2006.
‘A lot of good people came into the team and that has strengthened that whole department,’ he explained.
‘I trust that the technical team we have outside of Adrian is very strong,’ Verstappen went on, citing the car’s rapid performance over the past few seasons.
Meanwhile, Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton said he ‘very much’ wants to work with Newey when he joins the Italian constructor next season.
Daniel Ricciardo of AlphaTauri finished 11th in practice at the International Autodrome
Charles Leclerc of Ferrari climbs from his car after spinning on track during practice
Lewis Hamilton arrived at the track head to toe in Tommy Hilfiger clothing on Friday
Hamilton, seen completing a pit stop, finished seventh with a time of 1:29:012
Verstappen addressed his Red Bulls future on Thursday amid speculation it is uncertain
‘Adrian Newey has got such a great history and track record and he has done an amazing job throughout his career. With the knowledge he has he would be an amazing addition,’ the seven-time world champion told reporters Thursday.
‘They (Ferrari) have got a great team and they are making huge progress and their car is quicker this year, but it would be a privilege to work with him,’ he went on.
‘If I made a list of people I would like to work with then he (Newey) would absolutely be at the top of it.’
A number of celebrities are due to be at this weekend’s Grand Prix, including Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, who are expected to attend with Patrick and Brittany Mahomes.
Luis Suarez is also in Miami this week, with the Inter Miami striker seen playing a game of headers with Sainz on Thursday.
