FT1: Closing time!
That was it for the first session in Miami. The best time remains with Leclerc, behind P2 by Russell should provide some optimism at Mercedes. Verstappen is third, Albon surprises in Williams as seventh ahead of Hamilton. Here is the overview:
training report
FT1: Leclerc strikes back
1:31.098 for the Monegasque, who regained the lead just before the end of the session. Was that it? Or are we still seeing a 1:30 time here in FT1? The last few minutes are running.
By the way, things are not looking so good for the German drivers at the moment. Vettel and Schumacher are on P13 and P19.
FT1: final phase
Running the last 10 minutes, Verstappen clearly moved up to P1 on the soft tires with a 1:31.350. Let’s see what the others have up their sleeves. In any case, Sainz nothing at first, he has turned …
FT1: Let’s go!
The Alfa has been taken away and the route has been reopened. The drivers now have 16 minutes left – apart from Bottas, of course, we won’t see him once more in FT1 following his departure.
Incidentally, this weekend Pirelli opted for the three middle compounds (C2 to C4). So you don’t have the hardest and softest tire compound on offer.
FT1: Vettel protests
We use the interruption to look at a small protest by Vettel. He reacted to the latest FIA bans – and simply wore his underpants over his racing suit!
Funny action, but Ralf Schumacher says on ‘Sky’: “I find it all a bit childish. […] It’s regarding safety.” He also has a tip for Vettel if he doesn’t want to do without his underpants.
“Back then I had my boxer shorts made in fireproof. I sent them to the manufacturer we had there and they made them for me and it was fine,” said Schumacher.
FT1: Temperaturprobleme
Verstappen would like to do a few more laps. But he has to pit because his car is overheating. Of course, the high temperatures here aren’t just a problem for the tyres. Let’s keep an eye out.
Meanwhile, Sainz is pushing ahead of Leclerc: 1:32.443 for the new leader. Norris moves up to P3. Correction meanwhile from the race management: The warning was for Vettel, not for Stroll.
FT1: Warning for Stroll
Also via the pit entrance we talked regarding it earlier. Stroll just got a warning for crossing the line there. Here, too, the drivers are still testing their way to the limit.
Leclerc continues to lead in front of Sainz, he has now reduced the best time to 1:32.555. Of course we don’t have comparable values. So far, everything is still very close together at the front – and Mercedes is also involved.