Max triumphs in sweltering Miami
Miami Gardens (United States), May 9: World champion Max Verstappen resisted a late attack from series leader Charles Leclerc of Ferrari to claim an accomplished victory for Red Bull in sweltering conditions at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix on Sunday.
In a physically exhausting race for the drivers and teams at the Miami International Autodrome, the 24-year-old Dutchman produced a mature performance to make the most of superior straight line speed in a largely processional race until a late Safety Car intervention.
His second win in succession and third of the season enabled him to trim Leclerc’s advantage to 19 points in the drivers’ championship. Leclerc has 104 and Verstappen 85. It
was the 23rd win of the Dutchman’s career.
“It was an incredible Grand Prix, very physical as well, but I think we kept
it exciting until the end,” said Verstappen, interviewed by retired American driver Willy T. Ribbs after the race.
When Ribbs suggested he looked ready to “get into a boxing ring”, Verstappen retorted: “I think I’ll stick to racing, but I appreciate boxing a lot. It felt a bit like that out there in terms of how we feel now.
Verstappen came home
3.786 seconds ahead of Leclerc with Carlos Sainz third in the second Ferrari after holding off a late charge from Sergio Perez. George Russell finished fifth after recovering from
15th on the opening lap to come home ahead of Mercedes teammate, seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
“I did the best I could. It’s a good result for the team,” said Hamilton, who had spent the buildup to the race rowing with the sport’s governing body about how much jewellery he wears.