Norris-Verstappen clash clears the way for Piastri’s Miami GP victory

Oscar Piastri claimed his first 2025 win at Miami, with Lando Norris second and Max Verstappen third. An early Norris‑Verstappen clash reshuffled the field, giving the McLarens a clear gap.

Why it matters:

McLaren’s 1‑2 finish challenges Red Bull’s recent dominance and puts the team near the top of the drivers’ championship. For Verstappen, the result shows a rare vulnerability on a circuit that favors his rivals.

The details:

• Qualifying: Verstappen on pole, Norris beside him, Russell and Piastri on the third row.
• Start: Verstappen squeezed Norris into Turn 1, dropping Norris several places while Antonelli, Piastri, Russell and Albon surged forward.
• Mid‑race: McLaren’s speed advantage let Piastri close on Verstappen and take the lead on lap 13.
• Norris fought back, briefly passing Verstappen before yielding to avoid a penalty; by lap 17 both McLarens were clear at the front.
• Schedule tweak: FP1 extended to 90 minutes (12:00‑13:30 local) with earlier sessions shifted forward, and a Formula 2 race added to the weekend.

What's next:

The next event in Canada will test if McLaren can sustain its Miami momentum, while Red Bull will aim to recover lost points. The longer practice window also gives teams extra time to adapt to recent technical changes.