FP1 Miami: Piastri leads, red flags and some drama set the stage

The Miami sun was blazing, the track temperature soared to a sweltering 48.3°C, and the humidity hovered at 50% as Formula 1’s sixth round of the 2025 season kicked off with Practice 1 at the Miami Grand Prix. The anticipation was palpable, with the paddock still buzzing from Oscar Piastri’s dramatic victory in Jeddah and the ever-tightening championship fight. But as the session unfolded, it was the Miami circuit itself—and a series of incidents and red flags—that stole the headlines, setting the stage for a weekend that promises unpredictability and high drama.

Sweltering Conditions Challenge the Field

From the moment the pit lane opened, it was clear that the Miami International Autodrome would be a stern test for both man and machine. With air temperatures at 28.3°C and the track surface a blistering 48.3°C, teams immediately turned their attention to tire management and cooling solutions. The wind, blowing at a modest 2.6 km/h from the southeast, offered little respite.

Drivers emerged for their installation laps, many reporting slippery conditions and a lack of grip as the circuit rubbered in. The softest compounds in Pirelli’s range—C3, C4, and C5—were on offer, and teams wasted no time in gathering crucial data on tire degradation and performance windows.

Early Incidents and Red Flags Disrupt Running

The session was barely underway when the first signs of trouble appeared. Lando Norris, fresh from a bruising but impressive recovery drive in Jeddah, was among the first to report issues. Over the radio, Norris complained, “Yeah, there’s just—you’ve left like so many tools in the cockpit. Everything’s just falling apart. I have to box this lap.” The McLaren crew scrambled to address the cockpit chaos, costing Norris valuable track time.

Elsewhere, Yuki Tsunoda reported an unusual seating position: “I feel like the seat height is quite high somehow.” The Red Bull garage acknowledged the feedback, but it was a sign of the small but significant setup challenges teams faced in the Miami heat.

George Russell, meanwhile, was vocal about his Mercedes’ handling: “I don’t know what’s going on, the car feels so different. Steering is exceptionally heavy.” The team confirmed the issue, and Russell’s session became a test of adaptation as he sought to find a rhythm.

The first major disruption came with a double yellow in Sector 7, quickly followed by another in Sector 13. Moments later, the session was red-flagged. The cause: Oliver Bearman’s Haas had come to grief, with Bearman apologizing over the radio, “Ah man, this… Sorry. It’s okay, are you okay? Yeah, I’m fine, just sorry.” The incident brought the session to a halt as marshals cleared the stricken car and debris.

Red Flag Interruptions: A Theme of the Session

The red flag period lasted several minutes, with teams forced to reassess their run plans. The Miami circuit, notorious for its unforgiving walls and limited runoff, once again proved that even in practice, the margin for error is razor-thin.

Key Incidents and FIA Investigations

As the session wore on, the stewards were kept busy. Two separate incidents involving Lando Norris were noted for post-session investigation. The first, an “unsafe condition” involving Norris’s McLaren, was flagged early in the session. Later, an incident at Turn 17 involving Esteban Ocon and Norris was also noted for impeding, with the stewards confirming both would be investigated after the session.

The Pace Setters: Piastri, Leclerc, and Verstappen

Despite the disruptions, several drivers managed to post competitive times. Oscar Piastri, the new championship leader after his Jeddah triumph, continued his fine form by topping the session with a best lap of 1:27.128 on the soft compound. The McLaren looked well-balanced, and Piastri’s confidence was evident, though he did radio in to request a check on his right-side tires after a brush with the wall: “Just check the right side tyres, still a little warm for the wall.”

Charles Leclerc slotted into second for Ferrari, just 0.356s adrift, while Max Verstappen was third, a further 0.074s back. The top three were separated by less than half a second, suggesting another closely-fought weekend at the sharp end.

Carlos Sainz, in the Williams, continued his resurgence with the fourth-fastest time, while Alexander Albon rounded out the top five, underlining Williams’ improved pace in 2025.

Notable Performances and Struggles

Isack Hadjar impressed for Racing Bulls, finishing sixth and showing that the team’s upgrades may be starting to pay dividends. George Russell, despite his handling complaints, managed seventh, while Yuki Tsunoda, Kimi Antonelli, and Fernando Alonso completed the top ten.

Further down the order, Lando Norris’s disrupted session left him 12th, while Lewis Hamilton, still searching for answers in his Ferrari, was 13th. Rookie Gabriel Bortoleto was 15th for Kick Sauber, and Oliver Bearman, despite his crash, managed 16th for Haas.

Team Radio Highlights: Frustration and Adaptation

The Miami circuit’s challenges were reflected in the team radio chatter. Norris’s frustration with his cockpit setup, Russell’s complaints about steering weight, and Tsunoda’s seat height issues all pointed to the fine margins teams are working with in 2025.

Bearman’s apologetic tone after his crash was a reminder of the pressure on rookies to deliver in a high-stakes environment, while Piastri’s calm request for a tire check showed the maturity that has propelled him to the top of the standings.

McLaren’s Momentum Continues

Oscar Piastri’s pace at the top of the timesheets confirms that McLaren’s momentum from Jeddah has carried over to Miami. The car looks quick on both short and long runs, and Piastri’s confidence is sky-high. Lando Norris’s session was compromised, but if McLaren can iron out the operational gremlins, they look set to challenge for pole and victory once again.

Ferrari and Red Bull in the Mix

Charles Leclerc’s strong showing suggests Ferrari are in the hunt for their first win of the season, while Max Verstappen’s third place—despite a session interrupted by debris and setup tweaks—means Red Bull cannot be discounted. The battle between these three teams is as close as it has been all year.

Mercedes and Williams: Contrasting Fortunes

Mercedes had a mixed session, with Russell’s handling issues and Antonelli’s adaptation to the Miami circuit both under scrutiny. Williams, on the other hand, continue to impress, with Sainz and Albon both in the top five. The Grove-based team’s progress is one of the stories of the season so far.

Red Flags and Investigations: A Warning for Qualifying

The frequency of red flags and the number of incidents under investigation are a warning sign for qualifying. The Miami circuit punishes mistakes, and with the field so closely matched, track position and clean laps will be at a premium.

Stay tuned for more updates as the Miami Grand Prix weekend unfolds—if Practice 1 is anything to go by, we’re in for a wild ride in the Magic City.