Verstappen sets rapid pace Max Verstappen won the inaugural Miami Grand Prix last yearĪt the front, Verstappen set an imposing pace as he headed the Ferraris of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

How to follow the Miami Grand Prix on the BBC.

Alonso says rules should be given time despite lack of entertainment.

'If we get things right, there is no reason we can't be ahead of Ferrari and Aston Martin.' 'I think we understand a little bit why that is and have time to improve things overnight. I felt strong, was on a good lap which would have put me in the top four and then put the soft tyres on and the car just wasn't working for me. 'The car just changed even from the medium run in P2. Russell added: 'Similar thing to last year, when we were quickest on Friday and then knocked out in Q2 on Saturday. We had the extreme bouncing last year but it feels like we are racing the same car.' 'I am going to stay hopeful that we can get the car in a better place. P1 looked quite good but in P2 the true pace came out. is a great place to be but we are not particularly quick and it's a struggle out there. Hamilton said: 'Same as every weekend - we are a second down. I don't think we can extrapolate from this.'Īnd Wolff's comments turned prophetic in a second session in which Hamilton was seventh fastest and Russell down in 15th, 1.286secs off world champion Verstappen's pace. This morning we seemed to be in a sweet spot. When the drivers have confidence, they can go quick. Chequered Flag podcast: Miami GP previewįriday started positively for Mercedes, with George Russell leading Hamilton in a one-two in first practice at the Hard Rock Stadium on a hot and sunny Florida day.īut team principal Toto Wolff gave a hint of what might be to come when he said after the first session: 'The car has some goodness, it is just very tricky to unlock it.How Miami Grand Prix practice sessions unfolded.

'We have to keep our head down for one more race and hopefully we will start a new path next race.'

'We desperately need those upgrades,' Hamilton said. Mercedes are due to introduce a major car development at the next race, the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix on 19-21 May. Hamilton said: 'It's a kick in the guts and it's a little bit difficult to take sometimes.'

Guts by raina