Sports
F1 Miami Grand Prix: LIVE!
Sergio Perez has the chance to snatch the lead in the Formula One world championship today when he starts on pole in the Miami Grand Prix, with Red Bull teammate Max Verstappen stuck back in ninth after a rollercoaster qualifying session.
It was certainly a rocky ride for Charles Leclerc, who put his Ferrari in the wall ahead of what promises to be a fascinating F1 race in the United States. Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and Kevin Magnussen complete an unusual top-four on the grid with Lewis Hamilton also labouring around the Hard Rock Stadium.
A victory for Perez this evening will guarantee first place in the 2023 championship, which has long been considered a procession for Red Bull – so how will they manage their drivers in a full-on scrap? Follow the F1 Miami Grand Prix live via Standard Sport’s race blog, featuring expert analysis from Matt Majendie in Miami!
Live updates
F1 Miami Grand Prix: Lap 2/57
Gasly, Russell and Leclerc all past Magnussen but Verstappen is stuck in ninth, having got Ocon but lost out to Bottas!
Hamilton running in 13th.
F1 Miami Grand Prix: Lap 1/57
Perez starts well as Magnussen gets swallowed by the pack!
A McLaren goes wide at Turn 1 but no huge danger as Piastri and De Vries made contact.
LIGHTS OUT!
The Miami Grand Prix is underway!
Sergio Perez starts on pole position with a six-point championship deficit to Max Verstappen, who is ninth on the grid.
Fernando Alonso, Carlos Sainz and the Haas of Kevin Magnussen complete the front two rows…
Formation lap
Right then, one go around the circuit before we get racing.
Tyre choices revealed
The tyre blankets come off and it’s Mediums for the top seven. Ocon and Verstappen start with the Hards, and the two McLarens in 16th and 19th on Softs!
We have 57 laps ahead of us around the 19 turns of Miami.
Some final words of inspiration…
F1 Miami Grand Prix countdown
Just over five minutes until we get underway in Florida.
Are you sitting comfortably?
Tyre strategy
It’s set to be a one-stopper starting on the Mediums unless the tyre degradation is rough in the slightly unusual conditions.
Expect a two-stopper in the case of safety cars or for late throws of the dice if overtaking is possible as the race goes on.
F1 Miami Grand Prix countdown
LL Cool J asks Max Verstappen if he can be unstoppable in this grand prix.
“I’ve made it a bit more difficult for myself but we’re gonna have fun,” he says.
Will.i.am then introduces Gale for the national anthem.
Matt Majendie in Miami
This is utterly surreal. We have an orchestra on the grid being conducted by Will.I.Am complete with cheerleaders, LL Cool J announcing the drivers and more celebrities than you can throw a stick at.
Not sure what to make of it but the fans seem to be lapping it up.
