The Miami Dolphins jerseys welcomed the Formula 1 drivers to Miami for this weekend’s grand prix. (Getty Images)
YOU LOVE ME- With the Formula One drivers battling it out in Miami Grand Prixthe Florida Panthers making a surprising run to the Stanley Cup playoffs and the Miami Heat taking on the New York Knicks in the NBA – there’s no shortage of sporting excitement this week in South Florida.
But sports fans may have to look to the Panthers and Heat for real excitement, warned of Aston Martin two-time world champion Fernando Alonsowith the Miami Grand Prix shaping up to be another Red Bull victory parade.
“Maybe there aren’t too many surprises,” Alonso told reporters on Thursday. “If you have the fastest caryou can start a little behind and maybe you’re still making some moves and overtaking.
“If you are in another carlike I said, we’re all within 1/10, so wherever you qualify you’re still more or less confident in that position and there’s not a lot of overtaking after the second or third lap.”
Once again in a league of its own, Red Bull have won every Grand Prix this season, with three of their four consecutive victories.
While Miami may offer plenty of Monaco like pizzazz, the action at the track might as well be similar to Mt Carwith small precious overtakings.
Double world champion Max Verstappen (93) leads Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez (87) in the Drivers’ standings and a resurgent Alonso a distant third on 60 points.
The weather could shake the cards on the table, with scorching temperatures forecast for Saturday’s qualifying followed by rain on Sunday.
The other ace Alonso and team-mate Lance Stroll may have up their sleeves is tire degradation, which the Aston Martins have dominated and could be a factor in the weekend’s heat.
“This will probably be the strength of ours car so hopefully we can use it on Sunday if there are not many safeties caror it’s not raining or something like that” Alonso said.
“We may see a rain forecast for Sunday, so things could change, but not seeing a lot of overtaking is the nature of Formula 1, so it shouldn’t be a surprise.”
Alonso played down Aston Martin’s chances of a surprise in South Beach but warned other teams not to underestimate them as they have the most of the season,
“Yes, they do it every weekend,” smiled the 41-year-old Spaniard. “I don’t know for us it’s just a gift where we are.
“We didn’t expect to be in this position, so we race calmly every Sunday, without pressure. We are growing as a team.
“We are in a position we didn’t expect with a very fast pace car.”
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