Max Verstappen Wins 2023 Miami Grand Prix, Extending Championship Lead with Third Victory of the Season
Max Verstappen has won the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, making it his third victory of the season and extending his lead in the championship. The Red Bull driver started from ninth on the grid but managed to climb up to second place after just 15 laps, putting pressure on his teammate Sergio Perez who had taken the lead.[0] Verstappen stayed out on the hard tire for a long time before making his move to overtake Perez and take the lead. Even though Perez had newer tires, he slowly lost time and found himself behind Verstappen by 18 seconds when the latter made his final pit stop.[0]
Verstappen's long first stint on the hard tire and the pace he maintained played a crucial role in his victory over Perez. The Dutchman said, “I stayed out of trouble at the beginning and I just had a clean race and picked the cars off one by one.[0] I stayed out really long on the hard tires and I think that's what made the difference and then a good little battle with Checo at the end.”[0]
Fernando Alonso finished third for Aston Martin, making it his fourth podium in five races.[0] The Spaniard said, “The car is amazing.[0] Nothing really to do in front of us.[0] Maybe we did expect a little stronger opposition but maybe the Ferraris were a bit worse today.[0] It's never easy, but it was a lonely race.”It was a bit of a struggle, but we managed to make it work. We got some points, which is always good.”It was a bit of a struggle, but we managed to make it work. We got some points, which is always good.
0. “F1 LIVE: Miami Grand Prix latest – Live” BBC, 7 May. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/sport/live/formula1/63206802
