(Miami) Max Verstappen took a first step towards a third triumph in a row at the Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix by continuing to dominate qualifying on Saturday.
The three-time reigning world champion took the leading position for a seventh time in a row (including the last race of last season), but a first time in Miami. Verstappen had yet to achieve this feat on his first two visits around the Hard Rock Stadium, although he won the race each time.
Check out the starting grid for the Miami Grand Prix
“I don’t know how to say it, but every time we come here it’s difficult to be consistent,” Verstappen said. I think we were correct. It wasn’t the most pleasant lap of my career, but I have the lead and that’s what counts. »
Verstappen at the same time equaled the mark of Alain Prost, who had also won the leading position during the first six Grands Prix of the 1993 season.
“A good start,” Verstappen told his team via the radio system. Let’s keep it up! »
Verstappen started Saturday by winning the sprint race and finished it with his 38e career leading position. The Red Bull driver clocked 1 minute 27.241 seconds and beat both Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz.
PHOTO JIM WATSON, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Max Verstappen during the qualifying session for the Miami Grand Prix.
Verstappen has won four of the first five Grands Prix of the season.
Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s Red Bull teammate, took fourth, ahead of McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
Mercedes drivers George Russell and Lewis Hamilton took seventh and eighth places respectively. Nico Hülkenberg (Haas) and Yuki Tsunoda (RB) completed the top 10.
Quebecer Lance Stroll was eliminated in Q2 and ranked 11e. His Aston Martin teammate Fernando Alonso settled for 15the rank.
During the sprint event, Stroll was the victim of a collision with Norris at the first corner and was forced to retire. Alonso was also involved in the incident and had to settle for the penultimate row.
Verstappen won again ahead of Leclerc. Perez had completed the podium.
Check out the results of the Miami Grand Prix sprint race
The Australian Daniel Ricciardo (RB) followed in fourth place. The top-6 of the starting grid remained unchanged since Ricciardo was followed by Sainz and Piastri.
Hamilton had caused the domino effect behind by attempting to overtake and was unable to avoid Alonso’s car, which had dragged the cars of Stroll and Norris into the incident.
Hülkenberg and Tsunoda had collected the last available points by finishing seventh and eighth respectively.
Kevin Magnussen (Haas) is the target of an FIA investigation for unsportsmanlike conduct during the sprint event. He was penalized three times during the race and claimed at the end that they were all justified.
reference: www.lapresse.ca