Miami Madness: Piastri Steals Verstappen's Thunder in Chaotic F1 Weekend

By Lewis Barnett 5 May, 2025 5 mins read 40 Views

Oh my god. What a race! I've been covering F1 for years now, and sometimes you just know you're watching something special unfold. Sunday in Miami was one of those days - and I had a front-row seat to the McLaren masterclass that nobody saw coming.

Let me set teh scene for you. Max Verstappen rolls into Miami on cloud nine - new baby daughter Lily born just days before, grabs pole position, and everyone's thinking "typical Verstappen weekend incoming." Spoiler alert: the racing gods had other plans.

Listen to this Article

The Daddy Issues

Oscar Piastri chose violence yesterday. The young Aussie showed absolutely zero respect for Verstappen's special weekend, snatching victory while the new dad was probably still running on about 2 hours of sleep. My colleague texted me during lap 13 when Piastri finally got past Max: "Changing diapers must've slowed his reflexes!" Harsh, but I laughed.

Lando Norris grabbed second place too, making it a McLaren 1-2 that nobody in the paddock predicted. I actually bet my editor $50 that Ferrari would dominate Miami. That money's gone now.

Turn One Chaos (Because Of Course)

Drama kicked off immediately. Verstappen barely held his lead into Turn One before locking up, then Norris went wheel-to-wheel with him out of the corner. The battle got messy fast.

Norris ended up running wide and dropped to sixth while Antonelli somehow shot into second with Piastri third. Classic first lap mayhem.

Then poor Jack Doohan's Alpine stopped after tangling with Lawson, bringing out the first VSC. We'd see plenty more of those...

Wait, Did Lando Just Say That?

Norris was FUMING about that early battle with Max. His exact words over team radio: "He forced me off mate. What am I meant to do? Just drive into the wall or something? Like I was completely alongside?"

Race Control? Completely unbothered. No investigation necessary. I swear these stewards flip a coin sometimes.

Watching Piastri hunt down Verstappen was like seeing a shark circle its prey. Lap after lap he inched closer until finally making his move stick on lap 13. The kid's got ice in his veins.

Russell Sneaks Into The Party

The VSC lottery worked out perfectly for George Russell. When Bearman's engine went kaboom (tough break for the Brit in the Haas), Russell jumped both Antonelli and Verstappen during the pit stops. Sometimes it's better to be lucky than good... though George is usually both.

I was standing near the Mercedes garage when it happened and their strategist literally pumped his fist so hard he knocked over someone's coffee. Worth it.

Ferrari's Team Orders Meltdown

Listen. Ferrari and team orders go together like oil and water. Always have, always will.

Hamilton was absolutely SEETHING when his engineer wouldn't let him swap with Leclerc. The radio messages got spicier than the Cuban food I had last night in South Beach.

"Man you guys! This is not good team work. That's all I'm going to say!" Hamilton barked. But that wasn't all he said...

My favorite line from Lewis: "In China I got out of the way when you were on a different strategy. Have a tea break while you're at it, come on!"

Ouch.

The Final Showdown That Never Was

With 18 laps remaining, Piastri had built a 7-second gap to Norris. I kept waiting for some late-race drama to spice things up, but sometimes F1 just... settles. The McLarens were in a league of their own.

Back in 2022, I remember watching McLaren struggle to even make Q3. Now they're dominating in Miami. Racing really is cyclical.

When Hamilton was finally told to let Leclerc through (after what felt like 84 years of radio debate), his response was pure gold: "Want me let him past as well?" after being informed Sainz was closing in. Seven world championships and still has time for sarcasm. That's why we love him.

As the checkered flag fell, I couldn't help but think about how quickly fortunes change in this sport. One minute you're celebrating a new baby and pole position, the next you're watching two McLarens disappear into the distance.

Max will be back, no doubt. But yesterday belonged to Oscar Piastri and a McLaren team that chose the perfect moment to remind everyone they're not just making up the numbers anymore.

Frequently Asked Questions

How have hybrid power units impacted the costs of Formula 1 teams?

In Formula 1, the introduction of hybrid engines has led to a greater level of technological complexity, and therefore, increased costs. These hybrid engines are expensive to develop, produce, and maintain, which has led to a rise in team costs since their introduction in 2014 Since the introduction of hybrid engines in 2014, teams have had to increase their budgets to research and develop to stay competitive.

Transport and logistics costs are significant in Formula 1

Formula 1 racing is a highly competitive sport, with many aspects that are expensive and crucial. These include transport and logistics, which involves the shipping of cars, equipment and personnel all over the world. Teams may spend between $8 and $10 million a season on logistics. However, larger teams that have more equipment can incur higher costs.

How much does a Formula 1 car cost to build?

Costs for building a Formula 1 can be very different. Some teams have spent as much as $15 to $20 million on a single chassis.

Statistics

Sponsorship deals are critical in Formula 1, with major title sponsorships sometimes contributing tens of millions of dollars to a team's budget.
A Formula 1 team's pit stop equipment can cost between $100,000 to $500,000 for high precision and speed during the race.
The average cost to construct a Formula 1 car chassis is estimated to be between $10 million and $15 million.
Hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix can cost a hosting circuit more than $70 million, including the sanctioning fees and the cost of preparations.
An advanced Formula 1 steering wheel can cost between $50,000 to $100,000 given its multifunctionality and custom design.
Formula 1 teams may spend up to $10 million on the engine alone, due to the high level of technology and performance required.
A Formula 1 car's carbon fiber body parts, essential for performance and safety, contribute significantly to the overall production costs of the vehicle.
Pirelli F1 tires cost around $2,700 each, resulting in a set of four tires costing approximately $10,800.

External Links

How To

How to Optimize Pit Stop Strategy for Formula 1

Optimizing a pit stop strategy in Formula 1 requires meticulous planning and analysis. Strategize timings based on tire wear data and fuel consumption. The pit crew should be trained to perform tire changes, fueling and minor adjustments quickly and accurately. Utilize simulations in order to anticipate how different scenarios may play out during a race. Be flexible in order to make real-time adjustments. Invest in equipment of high quality that will allow for faster and more reliable pitstops.