Miami GP: Piastri tops FP1 after red flag; promoters extend deal

Oscar Piastri ended up on top in the lone FP1 session in F1 Miami GP’s sprint weekend ahead of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, which ended up red flag.

It was a busy run in FP1 of F1 Miami GP considering it is a sprint weekend. Teams focused on medium tyre run to start the session, with only Visa Cash App RB opting for the hard compound. The last 15 minutes was used for soft tyre run, but not everyone could complete the running.

Haas’ Oliver Bearman had a minor spin which caused a red flag with about three and a half minutes remaining. Only handful managed it and among them, it was McLaren’s Oscar Piastri on top with a 1m27.128s lap ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

The Dutchman only arrived to the paddock on Saturday morning after seeing birth of his child. Williams pair of Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon were fourth and fifth in a good show, with Visa Cash App RB’s Isack Hadjar doing well in sixth ahead of Mercedes’ George Russell.

The Brit didn’t get a soft tyre lap but Red Bull’s Yuki Tsunoda did to be only eighth. Russell complained about heavy steering during the session, while the Japanese driver noted about high seat. Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli was ninth – another who couldn’t set a best time on soft tyre.

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso did so in 10th ahead of Visa Cash App RB’s Liam Lawson. McLaren’s Lando Norris was 13th ahead of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, where both were on a fast lap on the soft tyre when the red flag hit. The Brit did not have a great start to the session.

He had components left inside the car on his first run where he had to pit to shed it off. He also had a scary moment against Haas’ Esteban Ocon at the end of the straight where the Frenchman was on Norris’ path and left it late to move out of his way.

The Sauber pair managed to complete the lap to be 14th and 15th. It was Nico Hulkenberg ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto, with the German having a run-off moment early in the session. Bearman was 16th from Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Ocon, Alpine’s Jack Doohan and Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll to round the 20 runners.

The PU element list had host of drivers taking new parts, with the pair of McLaren, Mercedes, Aston Martin, Williams and Sauber along with Ocon taking their second ICE, TC, MGU-K and MGU-H. Here: https://www.fia.com/system/files/decision-document/2025_miami_grand_prix_-_new_pu_elements_for_this_competition.pdf 

UPDATE: The stewards left off McLaren with a warning for the unsafe release where two torches was left inside the cockpit during the start of FP1. The driver quickly realised the issue and pitted safely, which is why the stewards went lenient on it.

Here: https://x.com/fia/status/1918385371387253234

In the impeding case, Ocon was warned by the stewards after straying from the racing line which was potentially more dangerous after the impeding incident already happened. The Frenchman was not warned about Norris approaching and by the time Haas did, it was already late. The stewards thus handed a fine of 7,500 euros on the team.

Here: https://x.com/fia/status/1918389462666531091

Miami GP extension –

Formula 1 has announced that the Miami Grand Prix will remain on the calendar through 2041, following a 10-year extension to its existing agreement with the promoter South Florida Motorsports. The new deal will make the Miami Grand Prix the longest contracted race on the Formula 1 calendar.

Since joining Formula 1 in 2022, the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX has established itself as one of the most desirable sporting events in the world, attracting fans from across the USA and around the globe with a perfect combination of thrilling racing on track and incredible entertainment off it. The race has made a significant impact on the local economy and community, generating more than US$1 billion in economic impact across its first three years. The race organisers have also established internship programmes, worked with local charities, and promoted home-grown businesses each year to ensure that the legacy of the race is felt in the local area.

South Florida Motorsports was named 2024 Formula 1 Promoter of the Year in recognition of its outstanding delivery of the Grand Prix and continuous commitment to delivering an incredible sporting and entertainment event for our fans. The 2024 race saw a circuit record of 275,000 fans attend the Miami International Autodrome across the weekend to see McLaren’s Lando Norris take his first Grand Prix victory, as well as Abbi Pulling secure back-to-back race victories in F1 Academy. The Grand Prix attracted the largest US television audience of all time, with 3.1 million viewers tuning in to follow the action.

Built around the iconic Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, home of the Miami Dolphins, the ATP and WTA Miami Open, and seven matches at next year’s FIFA World Cup, the one-of-a-kind, 5.41 km circuit has 19 corners and 3 straights, with drivers hitting an estimated top speed of 320 km/h. Max Verstappen won the inaugural race in 2022 and followed it up with another victory in 2023, before Norris took the chequered flag last year.

Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said: “In just three years, the Miami Grand Prix has established itself as one of the most important and spectacular events on our calendar, an extraordinary example of quality and vision that truly represents the spirit and ambition of Formula 1 in the United States. Extending this agreement until 2041 is a strategic milestone of enormous importance, which strengthens our presence in America and consolidates the ever-deepening bond with our fan base there, which is constantly growing and passionate like never before.

“Miami is not only an extraordinary city, but also a truly global sporting hub, energetic, dynamic and culturally vibrant. All this would not have been possible without the far-sighted vision and tireless commitment of Stephen Ross and Tom Garfinkel, to whom I extend my sincere gratitude for the leadership, support and dedication with which they have helped transform the Miami Grand Prix into a world-class event.”

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