McLaren once again demonstrated their dominance at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, moving up the ranks to take first place. Oscar Piastri, who won for the fourth time this season, was closely followed by teammate Lando Norris to seal an incredible one-two finish.
Early in the race, on lap 14, Piastri passed Max Verstappen and had the lead until the very end. Despite beginning at the pole position, Verstappen struggled with pace the entire time, falling to fourth place. Mercedes’ George Russell finished third on the podium, more over half a minute behind the top McLaren pair.
McLaren’s impressive performance wasn’t without criticism. Red Bull expressed doubts about McLaren’s rear braking system’s legality as well as the team’s tire temperature control. Red Bull allegedly had thermal photos that suggested a possible rule violation. However, the FIA looked into the matter and found McLaren not to have broken any rules.
Zak Brown, McLaren’s CEO, dismissed the allegations as attempts to disrupt their momentum. While Mercedes boss Toto Wolff applauded the team’s engineering advancements.
Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton both finished outside the top five, giving Ferrari a disappointing weekend. Over team radio, Hamilton was particularly outspoken in his criticism of the slow strategy calls. Leclerc echoed those concerns, stating that the issues weren’t with the drivers, but with decisions made on the pit wall. The team now faces pressure to reevaluate their approach as the season intensifies.
The teenage Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli was one of the weekend’s most notable performers. After winning pole in the Sprint Qualifying session, the rookie created headlines and became the youngest pole sitter in f1 and finished sixth in the main race. His performance in Miami demonstrated his increasing self-assurance and suggested that he might emerge as a serious competitor in the upcoming years.
With the abrupt resignation of team principal Oliver Oakes, Alpine’s tumultuous season in Miami took yet another turn. Internal disagreements and poor results appear to have driven the decision, prompting Flavio Briatore to step in temporarily. In the midst of all of this mayhem, backup driver Franco Colapinto is taking Jack Doohan’s place.
Celebrities like Timothée Chalamet, Lady Gaga, and Orlando Bloom were spotted around the paddock, boosting the glitz and glamor of the weekend. The city’s continued success secured its seat in Formula 1 and has extended the Miami Grand Prix’s contract until 2041, securing its place on the calendar for another 16 years.
The 2025 season is looking to be one of the most exciting in recent memory, with McLaren becoming a real title contender and up-and-coming talent like Antonelli making waves. All eyes will be on how the rivalries and stories develop in the future races as teams reassemble for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix.
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Featured Image Credit: F1
