F1 Miami Grand Prix RESULTS: Race reaction as Max Verstappen seals brilliant win

Max Verstappen overcame the boo brigade and Sergio Perez to win the Miami Grand Prix and extend his world championship lead.

Verstappen was subjected to a chorus of jeers by the 90,000-strong crowd at the Hard Rock Stadium as the sport’s drivers were introduced by rapper LL Cool J for Sunday’s 57-lap race.

But the double world champion put his poor reception to one side by racing from ninth on the grid to pass Perez with nine laps remaining and take his third win from five rounds.

Verstappen increased his championship lead from six points to 14. Fernando Alonso completed the podium places with George Russell fourth. Lewis Hamilton finished sixth after starting 13th.

Follow live Miami GP reaction with The Independent as Max Verstappen wins the race from P9:

F1 MIAMI GRAND PRIX UPDATES

• Max Verstappen wins the Miami Grand Prix; Perez 2nd; Alonso 3rd

• Click HERE for the top-10 in Miami

• LAP 48/57: Verstappen re-takes lead with too much pace for Perez

• LAP 24/57: Carlos Sainz receives a five-second time penalty

• LAP 21/57: Verstappen takes the lead as Sergio Perez pits

• LAP 15/57: Verstappen up to second place in no time

• LAP 4/57: Max Verstappen up to P6 after brilliant double-overtake

• Sergio Perez started on pole position; Alonso 2nd; Sainz 3rd

• Celebrities such as Roger Federer and Jake Paul are present in the paddock

Good evening!

00:20 , Kieran Jackson

Thanks for joining us for our coverage of the Miami Grand Prix this weekend!

Another impressive drive from Max Verstappen, who now has a 14-point lead over Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez.

Join us tomorrow for all the reaction and news. Until then, goodnight!

Max Verstappen sends chilling message to rivals after Miami win: ‘I always feel unbeatable’

23:58 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen hailed his victory at the Miami Grand Prix as “simply f****** lovely” after he beat Sergio Perez and the boo brigade to extend his world championship lead.

Verstappen was jeered before and after the race, as he celebrated a triumph that moves him 14 points clear of team-mate Perez, who finished second. Fernando Alonso was third for Aston Martin. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and sixth for Mercedes.

Verstappen divides opinion in the sport and he was targeted by the Hard Rock Stadium crowd as he was presented on the grid ahead of the 57-lap race by rapper LL Cool J.

Full quotes below:

‘I always feel unbeatable’: Max Verstappen sends chilling message to title rivals

Lewis Hamilton, speaking after the race:

23:47 , Kieran Jackson

“I don’t know about the strategy, don’t know if it was optimum. Difficult at the start in a DRS train, once I did the stop on the hard, was able to really push. To get from 13th to sixth, I’m pretty happy with that. I enjoyed the race, nice to have a battle with people.

“It’s all a bit of an unknown. It’s not like I have a second upgrade coming which is what I need. It’s a step in the right direction to try and progress. So fingers crossed.”

Fernando Alonso:

23:39 , Kieran Jackson

“I had a very lonely race. Quite a big margin behind. Out of turn 11 there is a big tv screen there, saw a bit of movement there.”

Charles Leclerc:

23:29 , Kieran Jackson

“We have been struggling all day, very similar picture to beginning of the day. Competitive in qualifying, struggling on race day.

“I had a lot of bottoming today too. Consistency is what we’re lacking at the moment and we’ll try to work for that.

“We have work to do. We need to come up with the solutions. Mercedes are quick, Aston Martin are really quick. Alpines look quick in the race.”

The Ferrari man finished P7.

Carlos Sainz:

23:25 , Kieran Jackson

“I think we are in the middle of a learning process and this weekend will help us a lot. We need to understand why. It’s very puzzling, very inconsistent car, tricky. Driving on a knife-edge.

“We cannot play around too much with our competitiors. This leaves us with a lot of unknowns. We will keep trying things.”

He finished P5 after starting in third.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff:

23:18 , Kieran Jackson

“Three years ago, fourth and sixth we wouldn’t have been as delighted as we are today. Fourth and sixth is solid, the car was good today.

“I hope in Imola we’re going to make a step. But at the same time we are glass half-empty people. I don’t want to say we’ll be right in the fight but we’re establishing a new base-line.”

He finished P4...

Mercedes driver George Russell:

23:11 , Kieran Jackson

“Feeling pumped to be honest. Been a while where we’ve had some overtakes stick. We know the position we’re in as a team right now - P4 was the maximum again.

“There’s a lot of expectations on Imola. We finished 30 odd seconds behind the leaders, quite a bit behind Fernando. It’s a step in the right direction but it’s not going to transfrom things. It’s going to be a bit of a long journey.”

Max Verstappen ignores jeers from crowd to storm to Miami Grand Prix win

22:59 , Kieran Jackson

RACE REPORT

Max Verstappen overcame the boo brigade and Sergio Perez to win the Miami Grand Prix and extend his world championship lead.

Verstappen was subjected to a chorus of jeers by the 90,000-strong crowd at the Hard Rock Stadium as the sport’s drivers were introduced by rapper LL Cool J for Sunday’s 57-lap race.

But the double world champion put his poor reception to one side by racing from ninth on the grid to pass Perez with nine laps remaining and take his third win from five rounds.

Full report below:

Max Verstappen ignores boos from crowd to storm to Miami Grand Prix win

Red Bull boss Christian Horner:

22:52 , Kieran Jackson

“We’ve never had another start like this. We’re wondering: where are the others? Where did Mercedes and Ferrari go? They’re working hard on big upgrades for Europe and with the penalty we have for the rest of the year, we have to get fresh air.

“We’re having to be super-selective in what we test and how we develop the car. It’s a great start so we’re not having to solve big issues, I do expect it to converge later in the year.”

Max Verstappen also claimed the fastest-lap today in Miami

22:45 , Kieran Jackson

The Dutchman takes home a maximum 26 points!

Time for the podium!

22:38 , Kieran Jackson

The Dutch national anthem blares out for the second year running in Miami!

Fernando Alonso after his fourth podium in five races:

22:33 , Kieran Jackson

“The car is amazing. Bit of a lonely race today. Maybe we expected stronger opposition, the Ferraris were worse than expected today!

“After four podiums we want more, obviously a second place. But the Red Bulls are unmatchable.”

Sergio Perez after finishing P2:

22:25 , Kieran Jackson

“I tried. I gave it all. The first stint was really poor with the graining and that compromised our race. We didn’t have too much of a difference on tyres. A well deserved win for him.

“I think the medium initially was really poor. Compromised our pace. Max had tremendous pace on that hard tyre, I’ve got to analyse what went wrong today as we didn’t have the pace.”

Max Verstappen after his win:

22:18 , Kieran Jackson

“Good race. Picked the cars off one by one. Good , little battle with Checo - kept it clean, good to win.

“Kept it calm. Winning a race from P9 is always pretty satisfying. We were quite confident that this would pay off.”

The ‘point-less’ drivers in Miami!

22:15 , Kieran Jackson

11-20: Tsunoda, Stroll, Bottas, Albon, Hulkenberg, Zhou, Norris, De Vries, Piastri, Sargeant

TOP-10 IN MIAMI GRAND PRIX!

22:08 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen

2) Sergio Perez

3) Fernando Alonso

4) George Russell

5) Carlos Sainz

6) Lewis Hamilton

7) Charles Leclerc

8) Pierre Gasly

9) Esteban Ocon

10) Kevin Magnussen

Incidentally, Sainz keeps fifth despite his five-second penalty. His gap to Lewis Hamilton was around eight seconds.

Max Verstappen a very happy man:

22:04 , Kieran Jackson

“I call that simply f***ing lovely! Good race. Thank you very much, really really good,” Verstappen says over team radio.

Max Verstappen wins the Miami Grand Prix!

22:03 , Kieran Jackson

A brilliant drive from Max Verstappen - he wins once again in Miami! And he gets the fastest-lap!

Sergio Perez comes home to take second in another Red Bull one-two!

And another podium for Fernando Alonso in third for Aston Martin!

4-10: Russell, Sainz, Hamilton, Leclerc, Gasly, Ocon, Magnussen

Max Verstappen starts his final lap (Lap 57/57)

22:01 , Kieran Jackson

One more lap to bring it home for Max Verstappen here.

Looks like another Red Bull one-two!

Lewis Hamilton overtakes Pierre Gasly and Charles Leclerc (Lap 54/57)

21:59 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton now up to P6, with the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc now match for the Mercedes’ good traction!

Hamilton on his fresh mediums making his way through the field! Carlos Sainz won’t be caught though in fifth, 15 seconds down the road.

Max Verstappen, meanwhile, sets a new fastest lap! It’s looking like a maximum 26 points for the championship leader!

Fernando Alonso is watching on TV too (Lap 52/57)

21:53 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez already 1.8 secs behind Max Verstappen. It looks pretty set now... unless there’s a mistake or the weather makes a late diversion!

Fernando Alonso, in third, just asked what position Aston Martin team-mate Lance Stroll is in, saying “nice move.”

Alonso must have seen it on the big screen! He’s driving a lonely race right now - but amazing to hear quite frankly!

1-10: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Russell, Sainz, Gasly, Leclerc, Hamilton, Ocon, Magnussen

Lando Norris still down in P17...

Max Verstappen retakes the lead... just! (Lap 48/57)

21:49 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez is valiant in his defence! He defends well down the back straight... but hasn’t got the traction coming off the inside of turn 1!

Max Verstappen surges around the outside and through! It was tight between the Red Bull pair - but no contact!

The Dutchman gets it done!

Max Verstappen pits - and comes out in second (Lap 46/57)

21:46 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen pits - and a 3.1 sec pit stop!

It’s tight... but Sergio Perez now retakes the lead! The gap is only 1.2 seconds though!

Max Verstappen has 25-lap fresher tyres... and mediums!

This will be some job for Perez - surely it’s inevitable that Verstappen passes?

Max Verstappen now has the advantage (Lap 44/57)

21:43 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen now being told from the pit wall that he will be ahead after the pit stop, by 1.5 seconds!

His gap is 18.3 secs to Sergio Perez. And he is the only driver left to pit in this race!

Perez has just set a fastest-lap of the race though...

Lewis Hamilton, by the way, came out in front of Esteban Ocon after their respective late pit stops! Hamilton 9th, Ocon 10th.

Sergio Perez with a slow lap (Lap 40/57)

21:38 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez over a second slower than Max Verstappen! Ran perilously close to doing what Charles Leclerc did in qualifying, and went off the track! Could that make a BIG difference?

Gap is now 17.5 seconds. If Verstappen pitted now, he’d be 2-3 seconds behind Perez - assuming a standard pit stop.

1-10: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Russell, Sainz, Gasly, Stroll, Leclerc, Magnussen, Hamilton

George Russell up to fourth (Lap 38/57)

21:34 , Kieran Jackson

Russell’s Mercedes showing superior pace to Sainz’s Ferrari, with the Spaniard struggling. A simple overtake - and the Merc up to P4!

“That’s how we roll,” beams Russell!

Max Verstappen’s lead over Sergio Perez just creeps up to 17 seconds - and Nico Hulkenberg has just set the fastest lap of the race on new medium tyres... which bodes well for the Dutchman!

Verstappen still yet to dive in to the pits. Under 20 laps to go now...

Lewis Hamilton finally pits - P12 is now his position.

Max Verstappen’s gap to Sergio Perez now 15 seconds (Lap 33/57)

21:26 , Kieran Jackson

Race has gone into a bit of a lull now; the question is when will Max Verstappen pit? And how much time will he have to try and overtake Sergio Perez on fresher tyres?

George Russell has just overtaken Lewis Hamilton, with the senior pro not fighting. “It’s not our race,” says Bono over team radio. Lewis agrees.

1-10: Verstappen, Perez, Alonso, Sainz, Ocon, Russell, Hamilton, Hulkenberg, Tsunoda, Gasly

Charles Leclerc, incidentally, all the way down in 13th. Lando Norris in P16; Oscar Piastri P19. Not a good day so far for Ferrari’s leading man and both McLaren drivers!

All 20 cars still in the race...

Christian Horner says the Red Bull cars will close up... (Lap 28/57)

21:16 , Kieran Jackson

The Red Bull boss says Perez and Verstappen will come together with three laps to go in Miami...

Juicy!

Max Verstappen gets a telling-off (Lap 26/57)

21:14 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen enquires about tyre strategy:

“Max I’m looking at that on the pit wall; you concentrate on driving please,” says his engineer!

Very good.

Sergio Perez now back up to second - 16 seconds back - with Fernando Alonso pitting and out in P5.

Esteban Ocon now third! No pit stop yet though...

Carlos Sainz receives a five-second penalty (Lap 23/57)

21:12 , Kieran Jackson

Typical Ferrari! But this time it’s the driver’s fault!

Sainz gets a penalty for speeding in the pit lane! Five-seconds added... if he doesn’t pit again, it will be added to his classified race time.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton up to sixth - not yet pitted.

1-10: Verstappen (not pitted), Alonso (not pitted), Perez, Ocon (not pitted), Sainz, Hamilton (not pitted), Hulkenberg (not pitted), Tsunoda (not pitted), Russell, Stroll (not pitted)

Max Verstappen takes the lead of the Miami Grand Prix (Lap 21/57)

21:07 , Kieran Jackson

Sergio Perez pits! A quick 2.2 second stop for the Mexican - and he’s back out into P4, behind Alonso and Ocon.

But it means Max Verstappen, on his more durable hard tyres, is in the lead of the race! Well, that took no time at all!

So the question now is... when will Verstappen pit and switch tyre compounds?

1-10: Verstappen, Alonso, Ocon, Perez, Sainz, Hulkenberg, Hamilton, Albon, Tsunoda

“Upshifts are not that smooth,” says Verstappen. Hhhmmm...

George Russell and Charles Leclerc pit (Lap 18/57)

21:02 , Kieran Jackson

Mercedes and Ferrari make a move in the pit lane: Russell and Leclerc come in! They’re out in P12 and P15 respectively...

Max Verstappen, in one lap, narrows the deficit by half-a-second. Now around 2.4 secs to Sergio Perez.

Max Verstappen closes gap to three seconds (Lap 17/57)

21:01 , Kieran Jackson

“My front right is starting to give up a bit,” says Perez.

A reminder: Perez on mediums, Verstappen on hards.

When will Red Bull pit their men?! Crucial moment in the race now.

Elsewhere, Lewis Hamilton up to P9 after a few pit stops from the field ahead of him. He’s also on hard tyres.

Max Verstappen now up to P2 (Lap 15/57)

20:58 , Kieran Jackson

Carbon copy move for Max Verstappen - up to P2 now as Fernando Alonso is a sitting duck down into turn 11!

The pace of that Red Bull with DRS is just unmatchable!

The gap to team-mate Sergio Perez? 3.6 seconds. Game on.

Pit stops now starting throughout the field too..

Max Verstappen overtakes Carlos Sainz for third (Lap 14/57)

20:57 , Kieran Jackson

It took as many as four laps - but Max Verstappen has got it done!

Not at the back straight either! Down the inside of turn 11!

Now time for Fernando Alonso...

Sergio Perez about four seconds ahead of Alonso - he’s coming for you Checo!

1-10: Perez, Alonso, Verstappen, Sainz, Russell, Gasly, Leclerc, Ocon, Bottas, Hullkenberg

Max Verstappen takes George Russell down the inside! (Lap 10/57)

20:49 , Kieran Jackson

The double world champion gets it done! Cruises past the Mercedes down the inside... now time for Pierre Gasly’s Alpine a lap later!

The Red Bull now up to fourth by lap 10!

And Russell takes Gasly on the main straight!

Next up for Verstappen? Carlos Sainz in the podium places...

Lewis Hamilton not happy at all down the order (Lap 7/57)

20:46 , Kieran Jackson

Hamilton complaining over team radio to his engineer Peter Bonnington, a.k.a Bono.

“I don’t know if we’re going to last this race, front-right and front wing doesn’t feel good,” says Lewis Hamilton, struggling in P13!

Sergio Perez now 1.7 secs ahead of Fernando Alonso, with Carlos Sainz 0.7 secs behind his compatriot.

1-10: Perez, Alonso, Sainz, Gasly, Russell, Verstappen, Magnussen, Leclerc, Ocon, Bottas

Max Verstappen with a new fastest-lap... - he’s on the verge of overtaking George Russell here!

Max Verstappen with a double-overtake for P6 in Miami! (Lap 4/57)

20:40 , Kieran Jackson

Thrilling racing!

Charles Leclerc took Kevin Magnussen down the inside before Max Verstappen takes them both, down the inside on the main straight! That Red Bull is simply so quick!

And Leclerc shifts back behind Magnussen. Lewis Hamilton up to P13.

Max Verstappen now up to eighth in Miami (Lap 3/57)

20:39 , Kieran Jackson

Verstappen - having briefly dropped to P10 - is now ahead of Valtteri Bottas and Esteban Ocon and is up to eighth!

Perez leads, with Alonso more than a second down as DRS is enabled on lap number three!

1-10: Perez, Alonso, Sainz, Gasly, Russell, Leclerc, Magnussen, Verstappen, Bottas, Ocon

Nightmare start for Logan Sargeant, too, who has had to pit for a new front-wing too!

Lights out at the Miami Grand Prix!

20:36 , Kieran Jackson

We’re underway in Miami and Sergio Perez reacts quicker than Fernando Alonso - and keeps P1!

Carlos Sainz had a little look at Alonso - but memories of Australia maybe, and he keeps it clean!

Kevin Magnussen has dropped down a few places from P4, with Max Verstappen still in ninth, playing it safe!

Amazingly, Lewis Hamilton has dropped down to 14th after going wide at turn 11!

Formation lap at the Miami Grand Prix!

20:31 , Kieran Jackson

So Sergio Perez leads the field around the Miami International Autodrome for the formation lap on what is a very windy street circuit today!

Top-seven all start on mediums; Ocon in P8 and Verstappen in P9 on hards.

We’re almost set for lights out at round five of the 2023 season! Will Fernando Alonso take Sergio Perez into turn 1?

A reminder of the starting grid at the Miami Grand Prix:

20:28 , Kieran Jackson

1) Sergio Perez

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Carlos Sainz

4) Kevin Magnussen

5) Pierre Gasly

6) George Russell

7) Charles Leclerc

8) Esteban Ocon

9) Max Verstappen

10) Valtteri Bottas

11) Alex Albon

12) Nico Hulkenberg

13) Lewis Hamilton

14) Zhou Guanyu

15) Nyck de Vries

16) Lando Norris

17) Yuki Tsunoda

18) Lance Stroll

19) Oscar Piastri

20) Logan Sargeant

F1 Miami Grand Prix race

20:25 , Kieran Jackson

Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the Miami Grand Prix with The Independent!

It was an intriguing qualifying session on Saturday, with Sergio Perez claiming pole after Charles Leclerc’s late crash forced a late red flag. That means World Championship leader Max Verstappen only starts 9th on the grid!

Could be worse, mind. Lewis Hamilton is four spots back in 13th, with Mercedes team-mate George Russell in sixth. Perez is joined on the front row by Fernando Alonso, with Carlos Sainz in third and Kevin Magnussen a surprise name in fourth!

Lights out in just five minutes!

Here are the current Driver Standings:

20:23 , Kieran Jackson

1) Max Verstappen - 93 points

2) Sergio Perez - 87 points

3) Fernando Alonso - 60 points

4) Lewis Hamilton - 48 points

5) Carlos Sainz - 34 points

6) Charles Leclerc - 28 points

7) George Russell - 28 points

8) Lance Stroll - 27 points

9) Lando Norris - 10 points

10) Nico Hulkenberg - 6 points

11) Valtteri Bottas - 4 points

12) Esteban Ocon - 4 points

13) Oscar Piastri - 4 points

14) Pierre Gasly - 4 points

15) Zhou Guanyu - 2 points

16) Yuki Tsunoda - 2 points

17) Kevin Magnussen - 1 point

18) Alex Albon - 1 point

19) Logan Sargeant - 0 points

20) Nyck de Vries - 0 points

Max Verstappen, speaking at the driver walk-ons:

20:20 , Kieran Jackson

“I made it a bit more difficult but we’re going to have a good day and have some fun.

“Lap 25 again! Honestly it depends on what happens in my first few laps. Let’s take Fernando’s position. Try not to rush it too much, and to stay out of trouble. Winning today is tough but we’ll try and close the gap.”

The US national anthem in Miami!

20:18 , Kieran Jackson

Gale performs The Star-Spangled Banner in front of the mass audience in Miami!

Driver walk-ons in Miami!

20:15 , Kieran Jackson

In something new this year, we’ll be announcing the drivers one-by-one with the backing of will.i.am’s new F1 track: The Formula.

Very boxing-esque... x20.

Max Verstappen sets minimum target for Miami Grand Prix after poor qualifying

20:12 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen insists he should still finish at least second in Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix despite starting ninth on the grid.

The double world champion, who was dominant throughout practice in Florida, aborted his first flying lap in Q3 after a few mistakes in sector one.

And Charles Leclerc’s late crash brought out the red flag, meaning the session stopped and Verstappen was unable to set a time - with Red Bull team-mate and world championship rival Sergio Perez on pole. Despite starting on the fifth row, the Dutchman believes he should still finish on the podium come the chequered flag on Sunday.

Full story below:

Max Verstappen sets minimum target for Miami Grand Prix after poor qualifying

Roger Federer, speaking on Martin Brundle’s grid walk:

20:10 , Kieran Jackson

“Cheering for Lewis and George, we’ve come across them several times. I won at the Hard Rock Stadium in 2019 when the tournament moved...”

Valtteri Bottas on Sky Sports:

20:03 , Kieran Jackson

“All under control at this moment! It’s already tricky track not to make mistakes, but now the wind is gusty so we’ll see. You don’t want to go off-line here.

“You don’t want to leave too much. Tiny margins.”

Bottas qualified P10 on Saturday.

Lance Stroll speaking on Sky Sports:

19:59 , Kieran Jackson

“It’s pretty windy here, conditions are pretty different to what we’ve had over the weekend. I have a few cars to overtake so looking forward to the race.

“Wind affects the balance a lot. 30 km/h tailwind, affects the balance of the car, takes away grip from the car. Things you’ve got to adapt to.”

Stroll starts P18 in his Aston Martin today after a qualifying to forget...

Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso on the parade!

19:55 , Kieran Jackson

Hamilton P13; Alonso P2.

Who’d have thought that a few years back?!

Starting grid at the Miami Grand Prix:

19:49 , Kieran Jackson

1) Sergio Perez

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Carlos Sainz

4) Kevin Magnussen

5) Pierre Gasly

6) George Russell

7) Charles Leclerc

8) Esteban Ocon

9) Max Verstappen

10) Valtteri Bottas

11) Alex Albon

12) Nico Hulkenberg

13) Lewis Hamilton

14) Zhou Guanyu

15) Nyck de Vries

16) Lando Norris

17) Yuki Tsunoda

18) Lance Stroll

19) Oscar Piastri

20) Logan Sargeant

Lewis Hamilton loves it in Miami!

19:46 , Kieran Jackson

Reckon he’s relaxed?!

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes slammed by Toto Wolff

19:44 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes was criticised by Toto Wolff as being “a nasty piece of work” after the British driver qualified only 13th for the Miami Grand Prix.

As Sergio Perez took a surprise pole position – with Charles Leclerc’s late crash resulting in a red flag to leave Max Verstappen ninth on the grid – Hamilton endured another sobering evening in his unruly machine.

Full story below:

‘Nasty piece of work’: Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes slammed by Toto Wolff

Roger Federer is in the house!

19:40 , Kieran Jackson

The tennis legend is at his third F1 grand prix weekend today!

World title odds!

19:34 , Kieran Jackson

Drivers Championship winner 2023

Max Verstappen - 1/5

Sergio Perez - 4/1

Fernando Alonso - 25/1

Lewis Hamilton - 33/1

Charles Leclerc - 50/1

George Russell - 60/1

Carlos Sainz - 60/1

Lance Stroll - 500/1

Odds provided by Grosvenor Casino

F1 Miami Grand Prix race

19:30 , Kieran Jackson

Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the Miami Grand Prix with The Independent!

It was an intriguing qualifying session on Saturday, with Sergio Perez claiming pole after Charles Leclerc’s late crash forced a late red flag. That means World Championship leader Max Verstappen only starts 9th on the grid!

Could be worse, mind. Lewis Hamilton is four spots back in 13th, with Mercedes team-mate George Russell in sixth. Perez is joined on the front row by Fernando Alonso, with Carlos Sainz in third and Kevin Magnussen a surprise name in fourth!

We’ll have all the build-up right here ahead of lights out in one hour!

The ‘Problem Child' Jake Paul is at his first F1 event today

19:27 , Kieran Jackson

Drivers Parade at the Miami Grand Prix

19:24 , Kieran Jackson

All the drivers have been out for the drivers parade in Miami!

Just under an hour to go until the race starts!

Lewis Hamilton, after a disastrous P13 in qualifying:

19:17 , Kieran Jackson

“It was a difficult session. We’re not that quick, needed perfect laps, difficult to get into a rhythm. I had a couple of decent moments, Q1 end. But we’re at the back end of the top-10 and on that last one, last in the pack, I lost temperatures in the tyres - couldn’t do the lap.

“When you’re fast, you can sit back more relaxed. Take your time. We know that it’s very hard, 50/50 chance of getting into Q3. But anyways, it’s done. Get my head down tomorrow and see what I can do.

“P13 to god knows where.”

What is the starting grid for the Miami Grand Prix?

19:11 , Kieran Jackson

1) Sergio Perez

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Carlos Sainz

4) Kevin Magnussen

5) Pierre Gasly

6) George Russell

7) Charles Leclerc

8) Esteban Ocon

9) Max Verstappen

10) Valtteri Bottas

11) Alex Albon

12) Nico Hulkenberg

13) Lewis Hamilton

14) Zhou Guanyu

15) Nyck de Vries

16) Lando Norris

17) Yuki Tsunoda

18) Lance Stroll

19) Oscar Piastri

20) Logan Sargeant

Weather update in Miami!

19:08 , Kieran Jackson

It’s gloomy and overcast in Florida!

Forecasts are showing a 40% chance of rain...

Miami Grand Prix race odds!

18:56 , Kieran Jackson

Miami Grand Prix winner

Sergio Perez - 9/10

Max Verstappen - 2/1

Fernando Alonso - 8/1

Carlos Sainz - 18/1

Charles Leclerc - 50/1

George Russell - 50/1

Pierre Gasly - 100/1

Lewis Hamilton - 100/1

Odds provided by Grosvenor Casino

Sergio Perez claims pole position for the Miami Grand Prix

18:42 , Kieran Jackson

QUALIFYING REPORT:

Sergio Perez took a surprise pole position for the Miami Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc’s late crash resulted in a red flag to leave Max Verstappen ninth on the grid – while Lewis Hamilton endured another sobering evening in his unruly Mercedes.

Fernando Alonso joins Perez on the front row following another impressive display by the evergreen Spaniard, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz third.

Kevin Magnussen qualified fourth for Haas ahead of Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Russell. Leclerc, who broke his rear wing in the accident at Turn 8, qualified seventh.

Read more below:

Sergio Perez on pole for Miami Grand Prix after Charles Leclerc crash in qualifying

Charles Leclerc crashed in Q3 on Saturday

18:29 , Kieran Jackson

The Ferrari man will start 7th on the grid

Max Verstappen sets minimum target for Miami Grand Prix after poor qualifying

18:14 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen insists he should still finish at least second in Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix despite starting ninth on the grid.

The double world champion, who was dominant throughout practice in Florida, aborted his first flying lap in Q3 after a few mistakes in sector one.

And Charles Leclerc’s late crash brought out the red flag, meaning the session stopped and Verstappen was unable to set a time - with Red Bull team-mate and world championship rival Sergio Perez on pole. Despite starting on the fifth row, the Dutchman believes he should still finish on the podium come the chequered flag on Sunday.

Full story below:

Max Verstappen sets minimum target for Miami Grand Prix after poor qualifying

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes slammed by Toto Wolff

18:01 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes was criticised by Toto Wolff as being “a nasty piece of work” after the British driver qualified only 13th for the Miami Grand Prix.

As Sergio Perez took a surprise pole position – with Charles Leclerc’s late crash resulting in a red flag to leave Max Verstappen ninth on the grid – Hamilton endured another sobering evening in his unruly machine.

Full story below:

‘Nasty piece of work’: Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes slammed by Toto Wolff

How can I watch the Miami Grand Prix on TV?

17:48 , Kieran Jackson

The entire race schedule will be broadcast live on Sky Sports F1 and Sky Sports Main Event in the UK and Ireland. Sky’s coverage of the race on Sunday starts at 7pm (BST).

The weekend’s action will be broadcasted on ESPN in the United States.

Free-to-air highlights in the UK will be aired on Channel 4; for the race early on Monday morning at 1:25am. Race highlights will also air at 9:30am on Monday morning.

Lewis Hamilton would be taking gamble by leaving Mercedes, says former rival

17:42 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton has been warned by former rival Felipe Massa that it will be a gamble to leave Mercedes.

Hamilton’s contract with the Silver Arrows is up for renewal at the end of the year. It is expected that the 38-year-old will extend his stay with the team which has carried him to six of his record-equalling seven world championships.

However, Mercedes’ indifferent start to the new campaign has led some to question as to whether Hamilton could shop around, with Ferrari a possible destination.

Full quotes below:

Lewis Hamilton would be taking gamble by joining Ferrari, says former rival

What is the starting grid for the Miami Grand Prix?

17:38 , Kieran Jackson

1) Sergio Perez

2) Fernando Alonso

3) Carlos Sainz

4) Kevin Magnussen

5) Pierre Gasly

6) George Russell

7) Charles Leclerc

8) Esteban Ocon

9) Max Verstappen

10) Valtteri Bottas

11) Alex Albon

12) Nico Hulkenberg

13) Lewis Hamilton

14) Zhou Guanyu

15) Nyck de Vries

16) Lando Norris

17) Yuki Tsunoda

18) Lance Stroll

19) Oscar Piastri

20) Logan Sargeant

F1 Miami Grand Prix race

17:35 , Kieran Jackson

Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the Miami Grand Prix with The Independent!

It was an intriguing qualifying session on Saturday, with Sergio Perez claiming pole after Charles Leclerc’s late crash forced a late red flag. That means World Championship leader Max Verstappen only starts 9th on the grid!

Could be worse, mind. Lewis Hamilton is four spots back in 13th, with Mercedes team-mate George Russell in sixth. Perez is joined on the front row by Fernando Alonso, with Carlos Sainz in third and Kevin Magnussen a surprise name in fourth!

We’ll have all the build-up right here ahead of lights out at 8:30pm (BST)!