Verstappen sets early pace at Miami Grand Prix practice as Leclerc falters
MIAMI GARDENS: World champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull posted the fastest time in practice at the Miami Grand Prix on Friday while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc managed just three laps.
Verstappen, who has won four of the five Formula One races this season, posted a best lap time of 1:28.595 despite having some handling issues earlier in the season.
The Dutchman, who has won both the previous Miami races, finished with a time 0.105 quicker than Mclaren’s Australian driver Oscar Piastri.
Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz was third fastest followed by George Russell of Mercedes.
Leclerc over-steered at turn 16 and spun out, with his stranded vehicle blocking the track and bringing an early red flag.
The session was the only practice ahead of Saturday’s qualifying.
The sprint race will be held on Saturday ahead of qualifying for Sunday’s race.
Meanwhile, Verstappen has insisted that the exit of Red Bull’s chief technical officer Adrian Newey won’t cause him to reconsider his future with the world champions.
Red Bull confirmed this week that the 65-yearold designer Newey would be leaving in early 2025, ater 19 years with the team.
Red Bull have won six constructors’ titles and seven drivers’ titles, split between Sebastian Vetel and Verstappen, with Newey-designed cars to date.
But while Dutchman Verstappen said he would have liked to see Newey stay, the three-time world champion cautioned against predictions of an automatic decline in fortunes for the team.
“From the outside it looks very dramatic, but I think if you actually know what is happening inside the team it’s not as dramatic as it seems,” he told reporters at the Miami Grand Prix.
“I think over time, his role has changed a bit and I think a lot of people don’t understand what he was actually doing.
“I’m not saying that he wasn’t doing anything but his role has evolved. A lot of good people came into the team that has strengthened that whole department,” Verstappen added.
“Of course, I would have preferred him to stay for sure because you can always rely on his experience. He’s a good person, a great guy to chat to and relate to. He’s very bright, very smart and he would talk to the driver and interpret that into the car, he would try to imagine himself driving,” said Verstappen.