The Miami Grand Prix – Max Masterclass | Hitting the Apex

Finally, after all the build-up, the race.

It’s kind of weird to have a sporting event after all the side shows surrounding it.

But the race is the reason we’re here. The last act in a play.

The Media Centre gets very empty about an hour before the race, as those with grid access can head out there. You can also walk around the Paddock and meet all kinds of celebrities. They’ll file back in later.

Secretly, I’m a bit nervous of things not going smoothly. This is a showcase for my city, and while everything has been handled amazingly to this point, a disaster of a race is enough to undo anything.

I’m waiting patiently for the Star-Spangled Banner. Racing is why I’m here.

It’s lights out and away we go!

Coming into the race, there was some concern that the Ferraris could control the race. Max Verstappen took care of that immediately by passing Carlos Sainz, to a series of oohs from the collected media.

But all was not lost for the Spanish fans in attendance. Fernando Alonso moved up 4 spots right from the start.

The Mercedes is down on speed this year, but finally this week there is some pace in it. Enter Lewis Hamilton. Formula 1’s greatest ever driver had a bad start, which means we’re treated to watching him eat up the field, with a series of overtakes.

After the opening segment, the race settles down until the first pit stop or first race altering incident. But not this time. Instead, Max Verstappen skinned Charles Leclerc and took the lead.

The Track

About half way through the race, it’s apparent that the track is excellent. You can overtake, but it is tricky enough where nothing is easy. A good mix of tire management, the ability to push, and also the need to concentrate through the tricky section.

When Verstappen pitted and came out in 2nd, it was all but over for the top spot. As Sainz pitted out of the lead, there was an issue. The Italians press were not amused.

After the round of pit stops, the top 4 settled in.

Despite the tracks ostensibly allowing for overtaking, the Red Bull of Verstappen appeared to be just too fast. With the pit stops done, and the race  settled in. Would something change that?

The Finale

The only battles on track at this point are not for points. 12th through 15th are nose to tail.

Which is the beauty of racing. There aren’t points at stake, but you can still watch 4 of the best drivers on earth tap dance around each other.

LAP 32/57

DRS train, anyone?! 😃

Magnussen, Schumacher, Vettel and Norris are in a tight battle for P12#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/Bz3KO45B9K

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 8, 2022

Could rain throw a curveball? It always looks like it might rain in Miami, so this doesn’t mean much of anything. We’ll see. There is not much time for rain to come in.

And then the crash.

Gasly and Norris collided, a safety car came out. That was the curveball we were looking for.

Red Bull pitted Sergio Perez and maintained 4th. He’s on the best tire now, with fresh tires. Advantage Checo.

10 lap sprint, tire strategies mixed.

This will be fun.

But it was actually anticlimactic at the top. Max continued to control the race. This just in, Max Verstappen is good.

And so is Carlos Sainz. At the very least, you expected Checo to get past him. And he did make one lunge. But Sainz smoothly regained the spot and held off Perez. Brilliance to get on the podium and a much needed points haul.

Ferrari and Red Bull will take this fight to Spain next.

One last Press Conference

The victory press conference. The Top 3.

By the time the drivers get here, they’re exhausted, having been through the media pens already. They still take time to answer questions respectfully.

Max Verstappen’s brilliance shone once again, as the next greatest driver in Formula 1 continues on his journey into the current greatest driver in Formula 1. He won the race with skill, strategy, and guile.

But the weekend? That belonged to Miami. Max called it an “incredible atmosphere,”  Charles Leclerc said the “organization was great,” and Carlos Sainz called it “mega.”

In a weekend with a lot of hype, Miami delivered. It always does.

Vishnu Parasuraman is a contributor for @FiveReasonsSports. He covers the Miami Hurricanes  for Sixth Ring Canes and Formula 1 for Hitting the Apex. You can follow him on twitter @vrp2003