Piastri Leads Miami GP Practice Session; Bearman Crashes
Miami, FL – Oscar Piastri showcased his pace in the opening practice session of the Miami Grand Prix, securing the top spot with a lap time of 1:27.128, 0.356 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. The session concluded prematurely due to a late red flag caused by a crash involving rookie Oliver Bearman.
Bearman lost control of his Haas at Turn 12, resulting in a backward collision with the wall that halted running with less than five minutes left. This interruption denied many drivers, including Piastri’s teammate Lando Norris, a chance to improve their times. Norris, who was on a competitive lap and ultimately ended the session in 12th, expressed frustration over the timing of the red flag.
Max Verstappen, racing for Red Bull, managed to finish third, 0.43 seconds off the pace after adjusting his suspension mid-session. “We made some changes, and it felt better,” Verstappen noted, reflecting on his late arrival following the birth of his daughter.
The Williams duo of Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon claimed fourth and fifth positions, clocking in at 0.55 and 0.827 seconds off the lead, respectively. Isack Hadjar of Racing Bulls followed closely in sixth, just 0.013 seconds behind Albon.
Mercedes drivers George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished seventh and ninth, respectively, despite being hampered by the red flag, having not yet switched to soft tires for their performance runs. Fernando Alonso rounded out the top ten in his Aston Martin.
In a controversial turn, Norris’s team faced scrutiny after releasing him with a flashlight reportedly left in his cockpit, prompting a post-session investigation. Additionally, Esteban Ocon was summoned to a stewards’ hearing for obstructing Norris earlier in the session.
Overall, Bearman’s incident, Hamilton’s early exit—finishing 13th—and the implications of the various penalties positioned the Miami Grand Prix weekend with considerable suspense as teams prepare for further sessions.
Session Results: Top 10
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) – 1:27.128
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – +0.356s
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) – +0.430s
- Carlos Sainz (Williams) – +0.550s
- Alex Albon (Williams) – +0.827s
- Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – +0.840s
- George Russell (Mercedes) – +0.871s
- Yuki Tsunoda (AlphaTauri) – +0.910s
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – +1.000s
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – +1.050s
The teams now turn their focus to the qualifying sessions ahead, where strategic adjustments will further unfold the competitive landscape of the Miami Grand Prix.
