It began on Miami GP of the 2024 with the FP1 more slippery (until now) of the season: the sun is high over Miami, but the grip is little, even on a rubberized track. The errors are always around the corner - or better cornering - cash long also from multi-world champion drivers.
The first seven minutes
They started FP1 of the Miami GP, With the new livery of a Ferrari still lacking, however, the expected updates, which will arrive in Imola. This padel it has an evolution very fast, exactly like the cars and spare parts of the various F1 engineers, therefore all the pilots launched with particular caution. Norris complains about a problem at the level of assetto.
After salt seven minutes, Charles Leclerc causes a yellow flag in the third sector, ending up in a spin. He struggles to turn around, so he lets Hamilton, Verstappen and all the other drivers pass before attempting to complete the restart maneuver. The Monegasque he lost control of his Ferrari and the lack of grip coming out of a corner on the not yet rubberized track didn't help him at all. He comes therefore the red flag was displayed.
The resumption of FP1 of the Miami GP
Ten minutes later FP1 restarts of the Miami GP. So, Tsunoda goes long, but without damage; it goes long too Max Verstappen due to a locking of the left front wheel. At the moment the best time goes to Perez 1:29′ 632″. Lewis Hamilton puts a lot of effort into improving the tempo of issue #11, but is second, followed closely by Russell and Sainz, the only Ferrari driver left on the track.
The next round sees a Hamilton dancing on the curbs in a serpentine of curves, while Tsunoda complains about the traffic. And as they say, between two litigants the third wins: it is not Hamilton who lowers Perez's time, but rather Sainz, on hard rubber, that scores 1:29′ 346“, surpassing the Mexican by almost three tenths. Verstappeninstead has a new locking that makes it go lungo another time. Complain in radio team the “easy locks” of the left front at the moment of maximum braking. in the meantime Sainz improves: 1: 29′ 331″, and Norris takes to the track after a new set-up of the car, which he places in fifth position in front of Piastri, despite having also danced on a curb.
A useful announcement and the end of free practice
During the FP1 of the Miami GP, it is announced that drivers will no longer be able to overtake in the pitlane, following the incident with Hulkenberg during the Chinese GP. There are only two exceptions: the case in which the driver in front has stopped the engine or has a problem.
In the meantime, Norris improves and puts his McLaren behind Sainz's Ferrari, in second position, by about a tenth and a half. Also Piastri jumps on the curbs and then grazes the wall, but manages to keep his car on the track. At this point it is Hamilton to go long in curves, despite there being just 14 minutes left in the FP1 session of the Miami GP. A few minutes later, thanks to a gust of wind, Verstappen goes long again to a curve. The best time it ora di gasly, 1: 29′ 175″, on red rubber. Meanwhile, many other drivers are improving: Sainz regains first position, scoring 1:28′ and 979″. All while the Dutch lion complains the lack of grip and the tires being too hot.
The last laps and results of the FP1 of the Miami GP
Perez and Russell pass Than we Sainz; Mexican time is 1: 28′ 868″, but Russell and Sainz relaunch the lap. After some difficulty, number #1 manages to put his Red Bull in first position and many other drivers improve. The order of arrival is in fact: Verstappen, Piastri, Sainz, Russell, Stroll, Perez, Hamilton, Tsunoda, Ocon, Gasly, Ricciardo, Magnussen, Hulkenberg, Albon, Zhou, Norris, Bottas, Sargeant, Alonso and Leclerc.
