Okay, Miami. Let’s be honest. Sometimes, it’s all flash and no bang for your buck, right? But the first half of the Miami Grand Prix 2025? Totally delivered. The second half… well, we’ll get to that. But before the mid-point, it was a race worth extending on the F1 calendar until 2041.
Act 1: Verstappen vs. Piastri – A Battle for the Ages
The lights went out, and so did Max Verstappen’s luck. The Red Bull ace, notorious for his laser focus, spent the first 20 laps wrestling a car that seemed allergic to cooperation. ‘Braking issues? Balance problems? Sure, why not?’ Verstappen might’ve muttered over the team radio. Meanwhile, Oscar Piastri in the papaya McLaren soared, his car humming like a perfectly tuned orchestra.
By Lap 20, Verstappen clawed past Piastri—only for the McLaren to retaliate with a pace that left the Dutchman eating dust.
Teammate Tussle: Piastri vs. Norris
For a moment, it looked like we might have a proper McLaren teammate war on our hands. With a gap of just 4.6 seconds, Norris was breathing down Piastri’s neck, seemingly ready to pounce. But Piastri responded like a boss, finding extra pace and shutting the door on Norris. P1 and P2 for McLaren – a dream result. The McLaren duo finished 37 seconds ahead of the pack—a feat made possible by… no safety car.
McLaren’s Dominance: Where Did Everyone Else Go?
Yes, we had a Virtual Safety Car period thanks to those pesky Ferrari customer engine failures on Oliver Bearman’s Haas and Gabriel Bortoleto’s Kick Sauber. Quick work by the marshals meant no full safety car, so some drivers benefited, namely Mercedes’ George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
Russell and Hamilton gambled on starting on hard tires, a move that left them struggling in the early stages. But, by extending their first stint, they switched to mediums for the final sprint, hoping for a late-race advantage.
McLaren’s Miami Takeover: No Room for Second Best
McLaren didn’t just win; they owned Miami and highlighted a car is so dominant that rivals might as well have raced golf carts. The secret? Aero efficiency is so sharp it could slice through Florida’s humidity. Even Verstappen’s post-race shrug said it all: ‘What can you do?’
Russell’s Stealth Mode: Podium Surprise
George Russell quietly put in a stellar drive. A smart racing strategy and perfectly timed pit stop during the VSC allowed him to jump ahead of Verstappen and snag third. Russell is Mr. Consistent this season, racking up top-5 finishes in every race.
Albon’s Amazing Drive: The Williams Wonder
Okay, let’s hear it for Alex Albon! Seriously, where did that come from? After swapping places with his teammate Carlos Sainz (due to Sainz’s struggle to overtake Antonelli), Albon found some serious pace. The team switched them back, and Albon flew, grabbing fifth place and a pile of points for Williams. A true underdog story!
Antonelli’s Struggles: Qualifying Hero, Race Day Zero
Mercedes protégé Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished sixth, another solid result, but the VSC hurt his chances. He’s lightning-fast in qualifying but seems to struggle more in race conditions. Still, no errors – need to unlock that Sunday magic.
Ferrari Fumbles: Leclerc vs. Hamilton… vs. Sainz?
More head-scratching moments at Ferrari. Hamilton? He spent laps dueling Charles Leclerc in a ‘will-they-won’t-they’ tire-wear saga.
Leclerc (7th) seems to have agreed to let Hamilton (8th) pass after long radio discussions. Then, Hamilton’s tires went off, and Leclerc overtook him again. But the real drama came when Carlos Sainz tangled with Hamilton, leaving everyone wondering, ‘What was that all about?’
Tsunoda’s Tenacity: A Deserved Points Finish
Yuki Tsunoda rounded out the top ten, a well-earned result despite a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane. He kept RB Isack Hadjar firmly behind him.
Aston Martin’s Agony: What’s Going On?
At the back of the grid, things are looking grim for Aston Martin. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll finished near the bottom, a shocking result considering the hype surrounding Adrian Newey’s arrival (for the 2026 car, mind you). Are they stuck there for the entire season, or can they turn it around with upgrades? Only time will tell.
Rookie Heartbreak: Miami Curse?
Four rookies failed to finish the race: Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, Oliver Bearman, and Jack Doohan. A Lap 1 collision with Liam Lawson likely ended his F1 career—a harsh reminder that in Formula 1, ‘next year’ isn’t guaranteed. Ouch.
Championship Standings: Piastri Extends His Lead
Oscar Piastri now leads the F1 championship by 16 points over Norris. But the real mover is Alex Albon, jumping to eighth in the standings. Seriously, impressive stuff in that Williams! Red Bull? They’re scrambling. Mercedes? Consistency is their middle name (thanks, Russell).
Overall: Miami Delivers (Mostly)
The Miami Grand Prix 2025 delivered the goods, even if the second half wasn’t as exciting as the first.
Next Up: Imola!
We’re heading to Europe for a triple-header, starting with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola —a track where history and heartbreak collide. Can McLaren keep their crown? Will Newey’s napkin sketches save Aston? Tune in May 16-18 to find out.
