F1 Miami GP Practice Report: Max Verstappen Grabs P2 In Extended FP1 Session; Charles Leclerc Finishes at Top

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Formula 1 officially returned from its short break with an extended 90-minute Free Practice 1 session at the Miami International Autodrome. For Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing, the session was a crucial data-gathering mission following recent regulatory adjustments. While Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc stole the headlines by topping the timesheets, Verstappen showed consistent pace throughout the afternoon, finishing as the best of the rest in a session that provided the first glimpse of the competitive order in South Florida.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc tops the FP1 timesheets 👏

The full classification from practice is IN! ⬇️#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/2CYBNwlqGz

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— Formula 1 (@F1) May 1, 2026

Max Verstappen Shows Solid Pace Despite Ferrari Threat

Max Verstappen spent a significant portion of the session focused on long-run simulations before switching to the soft compounds in the final 20 minutes. The Dutchman briefly jumped to the top of the standings with a 1:29.776, only to be eclipsed by Leclerc moments later. Despite finishing three-tenths behind the Monegasque, Verstappen appeared comfortable with the RB22’s balance on the hard and medium tyres. His feedback to the pit wall suggested that the car felt “connected,” though he noted that the high track temperatures in Miami were making tyre degradation a major factor for Sunday’s race.

Technical Analysis And Off-Field Concerns

The extended 90-minute session was a tactical move by the FIA to allow teams to adjust to new technical refinements. While Mercedes struggled with power unit issues (affecting championship leader Kimi Antonelli), Verstappen’s session was relatively clean. However, the three-time champion wasn’t without concerns.

Outside of the garage, Verstappen raised a critical alarm regarding the circuit’s drainage system. With heavy rain and potential thunderstorms forecast for race day, Max expressed doubts about the track’s ability to clear water, especially around the stadium sections. “The drainage could be a real problem if the heavens open,” Verstappen remarked during his post-practice media duties. This concern echoes sentiments from other drivers like Carlos Sainz, setting the stage for a potentially chaotic weekend if the weather turns.

What’s Next For Red Bull?

With the Miami GP operating under the Sprint format, this was the only practice session available. Verstappen and his engineers now head straight into Sprint Qualifying with limited data. The gap to Ferrari is visible, but Red Bull’s superior tyre management in race trim usually levels the playing field. The team will be looking to fine-tune the RB22’s setup to bridge that 0.3s gap before the competitive sessions begin.