In the world of Formula 1, there is always a competitive order at play. However, sometimes external factors disrupt this order from fully manifesting. These factors can be easily seen and understood, such as the timing of runs or technical issues with leading contenders. Other times, the presence of randomizing factors is apparent, but their exact nature remains unclear.
This weekend in Miami has been one of those occasions where the randomizing factors have been at play. Despite this, Max Verstappen and Red Bull have managed to piece together the puzzle better than anyone else. On Friday, it seemed like Lando Norris and McLaren had the upper hand against Red Bull and Ferrari. There were moments in Q2 where Mercedes showed respectable speed, but also instances where they were no better than midfield runners. Aston Martin suddenly fell behind, and Daniel Ricciardo’s Red Bull went from a surprising fourth in sprint qualifying to failing to make it out of Q1 the next day.
Verstappen expressed the difficulties of navigating these unpredictable conditions, particularly with getting the tires to work consistently throughout the lap. The lack of consistency makes it challenging to achieve the perfect lap, forcing drivers to rely on guesswork. Charles Leclerc echoed Verstappen’s sentiments, emphasizing the inconsistency of the tires in certain sectors of the track.
Despite the challenges, Lando Norris seemed to have a better grasp on the anomalies. He showcased impressive performance on the medium tires during the earlier sessions but struggled to replicate that form in Q3. Norris attributed the difficulties to pushing too hard and exceeding the limit, possibly due to the scorching track temperatures. The track’s surface, which underwent high-pressure water treatment, also played a role in the less-than-ideal conditions. The increased micro roughness and reduced chemical bonding between the rubber and the track affected the grip.
As the weekend progressed, the usual competitive picture emerged, but the drivers still felt unsatisfied with their performances. Verstappen expressed frustration with the unpredictable nature of the track, making it difficult to drive with confidence. The high temperatures also posed a challenge for the soft C4 tire, requiring delicate treatment during the out-lap to avoid overheating. However, once at the right temperature, the tire proved to be suitable for racing.
The unique tire situation and the sprint weekend format led to teams appearing less optimized than usual. Mercedes, for example, struggled to find the right balance with the medium tire initially but made improvements for Saturday. Despite this, both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell were slower than Hamilton’s previous performance on the soft tire.
Ultimately, the key to success at this track was having a car that provided consistent access to its full potential. Verstappen and Red Bull exemplified this, even though Verstappen himself didn’t feel it on this particular day. As a result, Verstappen once again finds himself sharing the front row with Leclerc.