Verstappen wins 1st F1 race in Miami

His first day racing around the new Formula One circuit in Miami was absolutely horrible. Then he made a mistake in qualifying that cost him a spot on the front row. By the time race day rolled around, Max Verstappen had knocked it all out of his system. Verstappen was explosive at the start Sunday and used a pair of aggressive passes to get past Ferrari and current championship leader Charles Leclerc. Once out front, the reigning world champ controlled the inaugural Miami Grand Prix for his third win in five races to start the season. The 23rd win of the Dutchman’s career sliced knocked eight points off Leclerc’s lead in the standings. Verstappen started third Sunday after Ferrari locked out the front row with Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. in qualifying. But in the end, Red Bull got the best of its new rival for a second consecutive race. Verstappen won by 3.7 seconds. Ferrari settled for second and third for Leclerc and Sainz. The Miami event gives the U.S. two F1 races in one season for the first time since 1984. F1 will add Las Vegas as a third American race in 2023.