Ferrari Driver Charles Leclerc takes a lap during the second free practice session ahead of the Formula One Miami Grand Prix. (AP)
GARDENS OF MIAMI, Florida — Red Bull launched in the first of three unprecedented US rounds of undefeated Formula 1 and with its challengers practically waving the checkered flag over the championship.
Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez have been so strong in the first four races that rival drivers have openly questioned whether any other team will win a race this year.
Boring? This is the narrative that followed F1 at the Miami Grand Prix, a highly anticipated event a year ago when it debuted, now dealing with a bit of a hangover. With F1 races scheduled later this year for Austin, Texas and Las Vegas, the start Red Bull the dominance has created the perception that F1 will have a season that could dampen growing American interest.
“What if you go to the cinema and after 15 minutes the movie is (crap), but the last hour and a half is great?” asked alpine pilot Pierre Gasly. “I don’t think it’s right to make such a statement already. I think you need to give the season more time.
Rumors reached every corner of the paddock last Sunday after a lackluster Azerbaijan Grand Prix, where Red Bull scored their third 1-2 of the season. As Perez and Verstappen pulled away from the competition, the rest of the field struggled to pass.
Charles Leclerc said Ferrari will do their best to put on a show on Sunday.
“I’ll do my best not to make it boring, but in the end it’s a sport,” said Leclerc. “It’s like in any sport, sometimes one team is simply better than others and that’s the case with Red Bull at the moment. We’re working hard as everyone here is working hard to try and close the gap to Red Bull.”
There was an early promise on Friday when George Russell and Lewis Hamilton pace the first practice for Mercedeswhile two-time defending champion Verstappen was fourth fastest and Perez 11th.
“It’s not boring for me, I’m challenged every single day trying to get back in front,” said seven-time F1 champion Hamilton. “But as a racing fan, I can see why there isn’t as much competition as they are perhaps used to with the NFL and the NBA. They’ve tried to bring the teams closer together, but it never seems to work.”
Russell suggested viewers simply focus on the action behind the Red Bulls.
“The competition we have right now between Ferrari and Aston Martin, every race we go to, we’re very close in qualifying, the pace is very close in the race,” said Russell. “Obviously it’s just a shame that there are two other cars ahead. So forget those two and just watch the run for P3. It could be a little more exciting.”
Actors Michelle Rodriguez and Vin Diesel tape a segment before the Miami Grand Prix. (AP)
Welcome to Miami
The inaugural Miami Grand Prix was one of the hottest tickets in sports one year ago. Seats and suites sold out almost as soon as they became available. Former first lady Michelle Obama was among those who went out to see the cars and stars and the fake marina
Although F1 has said it expects 270,000 spectators at this week’s three-day event, seats sold in the thousands last year can be found for around $300 on the secondary market. An additional 6,000 seats have been added this year.
The celebrity guest list is strong: Actors Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez have already toured the track, Bad Bunny is expected to return on Sunday for the second year in a row, while Becky G, Jake Paul, Mike Tyson, Serena Williams and Martin Garixx they are all listed as expected attendees.
The layout of the campus has been optimized for the event held at Hard Rock Stadium, where this year the paddock has been moved into the stadium from its previous spot behind the pits.
The entire circuit of the track has also been resurfaced after complaints from drivers last year that it was falling apart in places – most of the layout includes parking around the stadium – and there have been minor overhauls in some run-off areas .
“The vibe is pretty sick so far,” said Lando Norris of McLaren. “I think everyone has a good time here. It’s just good fun.
Hamilton contract
The next day Hamilton revealed an interest in giving it a try NASCAR and more motorMercedes boss Toto Wolff said a contract extension would be completed with the seven-times champion.
Hamilton, who turned 38 in January, said he wanted a multi-year contract. Wolff said there’s no rush to complete the extension.
“We’ve been together for 11 years and every time we talk about Lewis’ contract for six months we’re like, ‘Where are we and what’s going on?’ and we keep saying the same thing we’re moving forward on,” Wolff said on Friday. “It’s not a tough contract conversation, we’re just putting in different deadlines and some different numbers and that’s what we do. It’s a work in progress, bouncing emails back and forth. We will eventually sign it. “
Hamilton’s contract with Mercedes expires after this season. He is the most successful driver in F1 history with 103 victories.
Hamilton was asked Thursday if he would ever consider racing, NASCAR and him remembered a 2011 car swap he made with Hall of Famer Tony Stewart at Watkins Glen.
“I’d like to try it sometime. It’s not a dream for me to go racing in another series, but I’m an admirer,” she said. I am a fan of racing and other sports. So I’d like to try it.
Hamilton has also expressed interest in swapping with Valentino Rossi and trying MotoGP and possibly IndyCar, the US-based open-wheel series.
“I watch IndyCar sometimes and I’d like to try one of those at some point,” he said. “But right now my focus is exclusively on Formula 1, and I have no plans to leave anytime soon.”
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