Despite FOM publishing the action protocol in case of thunder and lightning storms during the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, F1 prepared to start the race under dry conditions.
George Russell stood out as the only driver in the top 10 to start on the hard compound, while Lewis Hamilton, in P12, followed suit. Max Verstappen and Lando Norris lined up on the front row, followed by Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri as the sixth round of the F1 World Championship began.
Green Flag, Lights Out
Both Verstappen and Norris started well, with the Dutchman diving on the inside at Turn 1. He maintained the lead but locked up, opening the door for Norris at Turn 2. Norris nearly took the lead, but Verstappen shut the door aggressively, forcing the McLaren to back off and fall to P6.
A fierce fight erupted between Antonelli and Piastri for second place. Meanwhile, Jack Doohan reported a puncture as he made contact with Liam Lawson, triggering yellow flags at the end of lap 1. The Australian failed to reach the pits, causing a Virtual Safety Car (VSC).
Piastri Chases the Lead, Norris Begins Recovery
After the VSC ended and DRS was enabled, Piastri wasted no time in overtaking Antonelli for P2 and began attacking Verstappen lap after lap. On lap 6, stewards noted the lap 1 incident between Verstappen and Norris. Norris expressed frustration on the radio:
“He forced me off, mate. What am I meant to do, just drive into the wall or something? Like, I was completely alongside.”
Stewards decided no investigation was necessary for the Lawson-Doohan incident.
Norris began a storming recovery, overtaking Sainz, Russell, and Antonelli to climb to P3 by lap 9. Teams began reporting incoming rain.
Rain Threatens as Piastri Closes In
Lap 10 saw Piastri right on Verstappen’s tail, with DRS on the main straight in lap 11, he nearly took the lead but failed. Piastri attacked again in lap 12, with Verstappen defending on the inside. Norris closed the gap, running just 2.2 seconds behind.
“It’s super slippery to drive,” Verstappen reported.
On the main straight to start lap 14, with DRS enabled, Piastri went around the outside and took the lead. Verstappen locked up at Turn 1 and went off-track, shouting on the radio:
“**** brakes man, honestly. Useless.”*
Verstappen Fights Back, Norris Rises
Norris passed Verstappen for P2 on lap 17, though Verstappen reclaimed the spot one lap later. Up front, Piastri built an 8-second lead. Near the end of lap 18, Norris reclaimed P2 and began pulling away, while Antonelli closed in from P4, two seconds behind.
Bortoleto was the first to pit, switching to hards. At the same time, Russell informed Mercedes it was beginning to rain.
VSC Shakes Up the Field
After 20 laps, the order read: Piastri, Norris, Verstappen, Antonelli, Russell, Albon, Sainz, Leclerc, Tsunoda, Ocon, Hamilton, Hadjar, Hulkenberg, Bearman, Gasly, Alonso, Bortoleto, Stroll, Lawson.
Hamilton’s Ferrari entered the points after a hard-fought battle with Ocon, coming out on top by lap 23. Multiple drivers – Stroll, Hadjar, Ocon, Antonelli, Sainz, and Albon – pitted for hards. Verstappen followed, switching to the white Pirellis while 8 seconds behind Norris.
Oliver Bearman retired on track due to an alleged PU issue, triggering another VSC. Hamilton used the opportunity to pit for mediums.
McLaren Double Stack, Russell Gains
Race leader Piastri pitted on lap 30, followed by Norris in a double stack for McLaren. Russell also took advantage of the VSC, switching to mediums and emerging just ahead of Verstappen in P3.
Yuki Tsunoda received a 5-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane. Gabriel Bortoleto retired, joining Bearman and Doohan in the DNF column. The Brazilian’s retirement caused the third VSC of the day. Verstappen accused Russell of not slowing down enough during the VSC period.
Midfield Battles Intensify
Leclerc and Sainz fought for P8 with Hamilton close behind. At the start of lap 36, Leclerc overtook Sainz, and Hamilton seized the opportunity to pass the Spaniard as well. The new order: Leclerc, Hamilton, Sainz.
Hulkenberg was the last of the grid to change tires, dropping to P15. Meanwhile, Liam Lawson retired from the race.
Hamilton repeatedly requested Ferrari to let him pass Leclerc. After four messages and three laps, Leclerc complied, allowing Hamilton to chase Antonelli for P6. Soon after, Leclerc demanded that Hamilton pick up the pace.
Carlos Sainz was noted for not respecting yellow flags.
Final Stages and Team Orders
With 15 laps remaining, the order read: Piastri, Norris, Russell, Verstappen, Albon, Antonelli, Hamilton, Leclerc, Sainz, Tsunoda, Hadjar, Ocon, Gasly, Hulkenberg, Alonso, Stroll.
Ferrari instructed Hamilton to return the position to Leclerc, despite his gap reduction to Antonelli. Hamilton complied a lap later, but expressed frustration over the radio when told Sainz was just 1.4s behind:
“You want me to let him past as well?”
Rain never arrived, and the race concluded under dry conditions.
Final Classification: McLaren 1-2
Oscar Piastri secured victory with Lando Norris completing a McLaren 1-2. Carlos Sainz and Lewis Hamilton encountered at the last lap, making contact, with the Brit making it to the chequered flag ahead of the Spaniard.
The final top 10: Piastri, Norris, Russell, Verstappen, Albon, Antonelli, Leclerc, Hamilton, Sainz, Tsunoda
