Breaking:Max Verstappen becomes first F1 driver to win Miami Grand Prix

Max Verstappen became the first driver to win the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday as he cut the gap at the top of the Formula 1 drivers’ standings down to 19 points.

The stars were in attendance at the Hard Rock Stadium as the likes of Michael Jordan and David Beckham turned out to take in the newest addition on the F1 circuit. Charles Leclerc started on pole but had to settle for second, while Lewis Hamilton claimed his third top-10 finish this term after ending in sixth, one place behind team-mate George Russell.

A late safety car bunched the field after Pierre Gasly caused Lando Norris to spin out during an attempt to re-enter the track. Leclerc was unable to capitalise, however, as Verstappen’s RB18 proved too powerful and grew his lead to more than a second, the Dutchman collecting back-to-back wins for the first time this year.

Leclerc called the Miami showdown a “hard race physically” and conceded that Red Bull had the upper hand in regards to performance and tyre rotation. Winner Verstappen described the inaugural race as an “incredible grand prix,” adding he was “incredibly happy” to win the inaugural event.

Ferrari ‘s one-two on the grid swiftly became a one-three as titleholder Verstappen pipped Sainz at the race’s opening turn. Alpine’s Fernando Alonso performed a similar overtake on seven-time world champion Hamilton, who slipped from sixth to eighth on the first lap.

Shortly after Red Bull were heard saying they had spotted damage to Leclerc’s tyres on the eighth lap, Verstappen used his DRS boost to grasp the lead for the first time. The titleholder maintained that grip for the remainder to overtake his Ferrari counterpart three wins to two after five races.

Details later….