Max Verstappen wins in Miami ahead of Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso
Dutch driver Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won Sunday’s Grand Prix of Miami, the fifth round of the World Championship, ahead of teammate Sergio Pérez and Spaniard Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin), who scored his fourth podium of the season.
Gran remomtada de Verstappen
Verstappen started ninth but came back with authority to his third win of the year, to consolidate his overall lead over ‘Checo’ Perez. Red Bull again had no rival, but the closest was once again an Alonso who achieved his fourth third place, recovering the streak he lost in Baku. Meanwhile, Spaniard Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) was fifth.
A career without incident
The Florida track left the race with fewer incidents of the season, although Verstappen’s progression was a recital. The reigning double world champion opted for the hard tire and it worked out well, because he held on as long as he wanted and more until he was first. Miami ended with no accidents, no safety car and hardly any mistakes, not even a yellow flag, so the script was fulfilled with some disappointment for Ferrari and Mercedes.
Sanction to Carlos Sainz
At the start, Perez, Alonso and Carlos Sainz respected each other, and kept their positions until they saw ‘Mad Max’ appear. It was time for the pit stop, perhaps another point to give excitement that was not decisive either as the teams worked well. However, Carlos Sainz was given a five-second penalty for overtaking, although in the end it did not prevent him from finishing fifth.
Ferrari and Mercedes, below expectations
The Ferrari did not give more despite being a procession race, with Charles Leclerc seventh, while the Mercedes did not give war either, culminating another week in which pessimism about their options in the World Championship grew. George Russell was fourth and Lewis Hamilton, sixth without being able to aspire to more.
Alonso is still going strong
Apart from the Red Bulls, Alonso kept the rest at bay. The double world champion took care of Sainz and then Russell, to confirm himself as the third best driver of the year, returning to the podium after his streak in the first three races. The Asturian has 75 points, squeezing his Aston Martin, to Perez’s 105 and Verstappen’s 119, the step that remains to be seen if they can shorten.
