Max Verstappen won the inaugural Miami Grand Prix, leading Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz across the line after 57 laps around the newly opened Miami International Autodrome.
Verstappen has now won every race from which he has not retired in 2022, having failed to complete the Bahrain and Australian Grands Prix due to mechanical woes. Verstappen also took an extra point for setting the fastest lap of the race, bringing his points total on the season to 85 vs Leclerc’s 104.
“It was an incredible grand prix — very physical — but I think we kept it exciting until the end,” Verstappen said.
“I’m incredibly happy with winning here in Miami. It was an incredible Sunday for us.”
The race got underway in 90-plus degree conditions, under a scorching Florida sun. Leclerc led the opening laps from pole position, with Verstappen close behind after the Dutchman swung around the outside of second-place starter Carlos Sainz on the first lap.
The top four of Verstappen, Leclerc, Sainz and Sergio Perez remained static until lap nine, when Verstappen made a superb exit out of turn 17 to pass Leclerc on the frontstretch.
From this point, Verstappen maintained total control of the race bar a brief period following a late safety car where Leclerc managed to hang within DRS range of Verstappen from laps 47 to 53.
Sainz’s third-place finish marks his first podium since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix. The Spaniard retired from both the Australian and Emilia Romagna Grands Prix due to on-track incidents.
Perez finished just behind Sainz after spending the final leg of the race harassing the Ferrari driver for third place. Perez reported a loss of power on lap 20, and Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner later confirmed to the commentary booth that Perez was dealing with a loss of around 20 horsepower.
Red Bull’s top speed advantage — and a fresh set of medium tires — allowed Perez to hang close to Sainz despite the power deficit, but the Mexican’s only…
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