The fifth race of the World Series will be run on a completely new track. The battle between Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen gets a new chapter.
6.5. 19:55 • Updated 6.5. 19:55
The fifth race of the Formula One season will be run this weekend in Miami, USA. It’s a whole new race built around the NFL club in Miami Dolphins Stadium.
There has been a lot of talk in advance about the competitive environment. The track is bordered by an artificial pool with no real water. In addition, sand has been trampled on the track, which will be removed after the race weekend.
Formula One has been strongly focused on the American market in recent years. In addition to Miami, the series will be run on American soil this season in Austin, Texas, where it has been competing since 2012. There will be as many as three U.S. races next season as the series lands in Las Vegas.
American Liberty Media acquired the commercial rights to Formula One in 2016, after which the popularity of the series has gradually risen significantly. Sports F1 expert Jukka Mildhin according to the Miami race is a much anticipated event.
– Thanks to the new owner, the results are now starting to show up in the American market. The market has been successful, among other things, thanks to TV series that have brought new audiences. Expectations in America are certainly high. This is quite different from a race in Austin, Texas, for example, Mildh says.
The track of the top stables and Alfa Romeo
Athletically, the track seems interesting. Drivers have been able to explore the secrets of the track with the help of a simulator, but there are always a lot of question marks on a completely new track.
The track has three DRS areas, i.e., points where the retractable rear wing can be utilized for overtaking. In principle, the track should favor Ferrari and Red Bull, which have shone early in the season and both have a strong source of power.
– This seems like a pretty fast track. There are a few slower points, but there are fast curves and long straight lines. On paper, it seems that cars with power will do well here.
According to Mildh, Miami’s different asphalt brings its own spice.
– Asphalt is different than in Europe. Such things are things that simulators don’t exactly tell. One cannot know for sure how the tire will wear out.
The track should fit quite well too Valtteri Bottas Alfa Romeo with a Ferrari engine. Bottas’ early season has been excellent, as he is eighth in the World Series after collecting 24 points. With an ex-teammate, Mercedes Lewis at Hamilton is only four points more.
– Alfa Romeo has been in a very good position. New tracks are always such that the pack mixes a bit.
– Ferrari’s engine plays a significant role, but the car can also be developed with good resources. The budget is still in order and there have been no major problems.
Leclerc’s pressures are rising
Ferrari will lead the World Championship after four races Charles Leclerc, which has robbed two wins and 86 points. Red Bull has also achieved two victories Max Verstappen, which is second in the World Cup table 27 points away from Leclerc. While there is plenty left in the season, the championship is likely to be settled between the duo in question.
The role of the second driver of the team is emphasized in the championship battle. At the moment, the advantage would seem to be with Red Bull, whose Mexican slump Sergio Perez is third in the World Cup. Driven for the podium in the first two races of the season Carlos Sainz drove out in both Melbourne and Imola. The Spanish driver now needs an intact weekend.
– Sainz’s misfortune has pretty much eaten the team’s interplay. Perez, on the other hand, has developed better, especially in terms of time. If we look at the situation now, the team has turned in the direction of Red Bull.
The ever-intensifying World Cup battle creates a new kind of challenge for Leclerc. The increase in pressure began to show in Imola, where Leclerc, who was chasing second place in Perez, spinned and the 46-point lead narrowed considerably. The leadership of the World Championships in Monaco is still good, but from now on, the headcount of a 24-year-old driver will be measured even harder.
Mildh sees Verstappen as the world champion, at least mentally, as the World Cup favorite this season.
– Ferrari is under terrible pressure to succeed. Verstappen is the reigning world champion, so the intellectual advantage is significant.
– However, I am not saying that Leclerc would not be able to control this situation. I hope that he and the people around him realize that situations like Imola cannot be afforded in the future. However, Leclerc is a smart guy, so I think he’s learning for once.