Preview | Leclerc and Verstappen continue their title fight in Miami

Miami Grand Prix

Since Liberty Media took over F1 from Bernie Ecclestone, there was one clear goal: Formula 1 had to grow in America. F1 itself had to be made more attractive with new cars and new formats for the race weekends, but above all, there had to be more racing in America. In addition to the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, the US needs one more race.

In 2022, that second race will finally be on the F1 calendar, with the arrival of the Miami GP. Fans and drivers do welcome a race in the popular city, but in the city itself, there was a lot of resistance. In 2018, the first proposal was to appear on the calendar in 2019, but problems with the location in the Port of Miami caused a postponement until 2021.

The location became more downtown Miami with a circuit around the Hard Rock Stadium, but 2021 was also not met. The GP of Saudi Arabia made its debut first, making Miami's debut in 2022, after also having to win several cases in court due to protests from locals.

Miami International Autodrome

The Miami International Autodrome, as the track around the stadium is called, is a street circuit designed by Apex Circuit Design. It is not a typical 'new-circuit', but at first glance it seems particularly interesting. It has a number of long straights, a slow section with tight corners and medium and high-speed corners. So there is something for everyone in Florida.

The circuit is 5.412 km long and has nineteen corners. The start/finish is not very long, so there will be no fast overtaking at the start. From Turn 8 to Turn 11, however, there is a long section where the slipstream and DRS can do their work, with Turn 11 also serving as a heavy braking zone for a slow corner as an additional aid. From turn 16 to turn 17 this is again the case. These two stretches are therefore where most overtaking is expected to take place.

Formula 1 in 2022

Where Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen split the first 5 races between them in 2021 and eventually won 18 of the 22 races together, we see the same scenario unfolding in 2022. Charles Leclerc and Verstappen each won two of the first four races. However, because Verstappen crashed out of the other two races, his deficit to the Monegasque is already 27 points. Before his victory and Leclerc's spin in Imola, however, there were many more.

Ferrari and Red Bull Racing are also the teams fighting for the constructors' title. After a difficult weekend for the Italians at home, Red Bull has come back to within eleven points. Mercedes and McLaren are far behind them in points and on-track performance and will have to come a long way to compete for victories this year.

Sergio Perez and Carlos Sainz are important in this respect in the title fight for their teams. Perez is doing good business with a third place in the championship and two podiums in the last two races. Sainz is in lesser form. Despite a new contract, he finished in the gravel in Australia and Imola, although the last time was through no fault of his own.

Weather forecast

Not surprisingly, it will be hot in Miami. According to Weather.com it will be a maximum of 30 degrees on Friday and that temperature will rise over the weekend to 32 degrees on Sunday. Friday and Saturday will also be mostly sunny, but showers are expected on Sunday. There is a 31 percent chance that the rain will fall, but the question is how much effect will it have on track conditions with these temperatures?

Forecast for the Grand Prix

Ahead of a race weekend at a circuit we have never been to, it is difficult to predict who will be in charge. In any case, it will again be between Red Bull Racing and Ferrari, but on such a narrow street circuit you shouldn't rule out a surprise. A safety car at the wrong time can put a lucky person in a winning position.

The slow part of the circuit speaks in Ferrari's favour, and with the F1-75, you would therefore say that Leclerc and Sainz have the advantage on Saturday. However, during the race Verstappen and Perez have tremendous speed on the straights and the question is whether they will be able to use it again as they did in Saudi Arabia. The only street race already held this year Red Bull took pole and victory.

In the background, teams' performances fluctuate. Mercedes is in third place in points, but the eleventh and thirteenth places during qualifying in Imola gave a different picture. In Imola, McLaren actually looked better again, but how does the MCL36 hold up with the heavy braking zones in Miami? Alfa Romeo, Haas and Alpine have shown that they are also competitive and may be in good shape in Miami.

Timetable for the 2022 Miami Grand Prix

Friday

First free practice: 19:30-20:30

Second free practice: 22:30-11:30

Saturday

Third free practice: 18:00-29:00

Qualification: 21:00-22:00

Sunday

Race: 20:30-22:30