Verstappen dominates Miami GP, Perez and Alonso complete podium
After starting P9, Max Verstappen easily dominated the race and won ahead of his teammate and Fernando Alonso.
It was a clean start, with the first three keeping their positions. Logan Sargeant was the first to pit as he had to change his front wing.
Then, there was a great battle between Charles Leclerc, Kevin Magnussen, and Max Verstappen. The Ferrari driver was struggling with his pace and was overtaken by the Haas and the Red Bull at the same time.
Verstappen continued his comeback by overtaking George Russell, Esteban Ocon, and Carlos Sainz. Meanwhile, Leclerc and Magnussen were still fighting for P7.
Verstappen quickly overtook Fernando Alonso and started chasing his teammate Sergio Perez.
As the race went on, from lap 15 onward, the drivers that started on mediums pitted for hards. Speaking of pit stops, Sainz received a 5-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane.
⚠️ PENALTY ⚠️
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2023
Sainz is hit with a five-second penalty for speeding in the pit lane
He will serve it at his next pit stop, or have the time added to his finishing time if he doesn't pit again#MiamiGP #F1 https://t.co/jXt7OEt2tV
After the pit stop, Alonso ended up behind Sainz, but the former rapidly gained the position back. After that, he got back up to P3 as he overtook Esteban Ocon, who was later passed by Sainz, too.
Ocon later overtook Sainz as the Spaniard made a mistake, but he recovered just one lap later. Russell then gained P5 by getting past the French driver. The Mercedes driver also got rid of the Ferrari, which was having an absolute nightmare with Leclerc, and struggled on hard tires with Sainz.
On lap 46, Verstappen pitted for mediums. However, he was just 1.5 seconds behind Perez and could easily catch him. Just two laps later, the Dutchman went up to P1.
LAP 47/57
— Formula 1 (@F1) May 7, 2023
WHEEL-TO-WHEEL!
Verstappen seizes the lead from team mate Perez at Turn 1 ⚔️#MiamiGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/ENxOTFa8L9
On lap 53, Leclerc picked up the pace and overtook Gasly, who was also put under pressure by Hamilton. Just a few corners later, the Briton went up to P7, right behind the Ferrari driver. The fight wasn't over, and Hamilton overtook Leclerc too.
Verstappen crossed the finish line taking his 38th victory of his career, with Perez and Alonso completing the podium. Russell was fourth and Sainz fifth. Hamilton, Leclerc, Gasly, Ocon, and Magnussen completed the top ten.