Miami is holding its first Grand Prix over the weekend. The race is already considered difficult with an action-packed FP2, Carlos Sainz crashes into the wall.
Ferrari in action at the Miami Grand Prix. (courtesy: Reuters)
highlighted
- Mercedes set the pace on FP2 with George Russell on pole just above Charles Leclerc
- Red Bull’s Max Verstappen catches fire
- This is the first Grand Prix in Miami
The first Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome was off to a rocky start after Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz turned around and hit a wall during practice 2 on Friday.
The much-anticipated racing event of the year had not won the fantasy and trust of all F1 drivers in the circuit, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Red Bull’s Sergio Pérez coming out and criticizing the track.
Norris said, “It’s extremely difficult. It’s very bumpy in some areas, which we weren’t expecting.”
“I think everyone was expecting it to be very sleek and beautiful, but it’s not,” he said.
“The surface is also very hard because anywhere you go out of line and it’s pretty much a game over and you end up in the wall, so it takes punishment,” Norris said.
“That’s why you’ve seen a lot of people end up in hurdles. I think it won’t be great for racing anymore.
Red Bull’s Sergio Perez, who has been exceptionally in rhythm this season, is predicting the race could be very bad.
The Mexican said, “I’m really disappointed that there’s no grip off-line. It’s a shame because I think the racing will be bad because of it. As soon as you try to go off-line, no grip.” it occurs.”
“It’s wet on that side. It feels very serious. The racing will be tough. I think it’s going to be an interesting race. We’re all in the same boat. We don’t know where we are,” he said.
Red Bull team principal Christian Horner said drivers have to find a way to handle corners.
“There’s really only one line. You go out of line and there’s zero grip. It’s going to make the racing a little bit difficult, but they’re finding their way into it and the balance and setup for the type of corner you’ve got.” Looking for a compromise. Here. It’s very challenging,” he said.
Mercedes set the pace in the open practice session, with George Russell coming 0.106 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.