Miami – EL1: The Mercedes surprise

After a complicated weekend in Baku, Mercedes seems to have perfectly digested the long hours of travel to Miami. While they had been rather discreet throughout the session, George Russell and Lewis Hamilton signed the two best times in the first free practice session for the Miami Grand Prix this Friday. The two men indeed beat the post Max Verstappen et Charles Leclerc in the last minute of the session, undoubtedly advantaged by their late turn.

Russell also deserves a lot of credit, since he had a more limited run than his teammate (only 18 laps). After just a few minutes, the Briton complained of a steering wheel problem, telling his team to change direction. His engineer initially refused so as not to compromise his FP1, but Russell returned to the charge, arguing that he could not learn anything in these conditions.

Mercedes leads the way in Miami! 🌴#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/YCUq5rtwKr

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 5, 2023

Returning to his box, the Englishman dismounted and his mechanics changed the steering rack. The Mercedes driver was indeed carrying a new part, which turned out to be too heavy and therefore returned to the previous specification, which allowed him to set the best time of the session. Charles Leclerc set the third time, just ahead of Max Verstappen who was sovereign throughout most of the session. 

More generally, on a brand new tarmac, the drivers initially had great difficulty finding grip, as was already the case last year. The track, green, seemed very greasy, and wheel locks and other slips of all kinds multiplied. Nyck de Vries, author of a very complicated weekend in Baku, even spun very quickly at low speed, without consequences however in turn 12. 

Nico Hülkenberg's crash

At home with his stable Haas, Kevin Magnussen was the first to establish a time. But it was Lewis Hamilton who set the first competitive time on a medium tire after a few minutes. Very quickly, mid-session, Max Verstappen took the lead despite the hard rubber, ahead of Charles Leclerc and Fernando Alonso. 

🚩RED FLAGS 🚩

Hulkenberg loses the car at Turn 3 and he hits the wall#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/NJM3f8vmNP

- Formula 1 (@ F1) May 5, 2023

This was then the moment chosen by Haas to send its two drivers on red tires, probably with little fuel. Nico Hulkenberg and Kevin Magnussen signed the first and third times respectively, to shine the badge at home. However, on his second attempt, the German went very slightly off the racing line and lost the rear of his Haas, which was then catapulted into the wall, which caused a red flag for around ten minutes. . 

Behind, Max Verstappen in turn switched to soft tires and took the lead of the session, which he kept until the very last moments, when Russell, Hamilton and Leclerc passed him back in front at the last minute. Note the promising 6th place of Pierre Gasly driving his Alpine. Sergio Pérez, the king of urban circuits, seems to be suffering the blow this Friday with a one-second outburst over his Dutch teammate (11th). Fernando Alonso and Lance stroll They are 7th and 8th. The stage location Logan sargeant finishes him with the 19th fastest time. The second free practice session will take place at 23:30 p.m. French time this Friday. 

ALSO READ > Verstappen explains why Pérez is stronger on street circuits