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Formula 1 Miami GP

F1 Miami GP Live Commentary and Updates - FP1 & FP2

Live updates from Friday's action at the Miami International Autodrome

Daniel Ricciardo, McLaren MCL36, Lando Norris, McLaren MCL36

Build-up to the inaugural Miami GP has been non-stop this week but finally track action gets underway, as F1 reverts to its traditional weekend format having run its first sprint race of the season last time out at Imola.

Charles Leclerc leads the F1 drivers’ standings by 27 points from Max Verstappen following the Dutch driver’s domination at the Emilia Romagna GP two weeks ago, as Ferrari heads the teams’ standings by 11 points from Red Bull.

While teams and drivers will be getting to grips with a brand new circuit, a range of upgrades are expected to be on show during practice as teams push on with the development with the new regulation cars.

Opening practice for the Miami GP gets underway at 7.30pm BST (2.30pm local time), followed by qualifying which starts at 10.30pm BST (5.30pm local time).

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Norris, with his basketball helmet, bounces up to third on the times for McLaren with a 1m32.615s.
Race control has made a correction, it was actually Vettel and not Stroll who was shown the black and white flag for crossing the white line at pit entry.
Stopwatch
Meanwhile a Ferrari 1-2 has been restored on the times, Sainz's 1m32.443s leading Leclerc by 0.112s.
Adrian Newey is taking a very close look at the rear of Verstappen's car, almost elbowing the mechanics out of the way to get a clear view. He'll be picking up the spanners soon.
Stroll has been shown the black and white flag for crossing the white line at pit entry. Don't be doing that come the race.
Stopwatch
Sainz is back on top with a 1m32.679s, 0.080s ahead of Perez.
Schumacher is in the wars so far, as he almost bangs wheels with Sainz through Turn 14. Two cars definitely cannot fit through that part of the track side by side.
All this chat about the fake marina and nobody wants to talk about the cable car that slinks over the track. Where does it start and where does it go, who knows.
Stopwatch
Leclerc repays the favour to Sainz to reclaim top spot with a 1m32.949s. Naturally, these lap times will continue to tumble at a fair rate as the drivers get in tune with the new track.
Stopwatch
Sainz goes quickest with a 1m33.163s to create a Ferrari 1-2. Still no proper lap times from the Haas pair, who have both only completed two laps so far.
The Ocon/Russell pitlane near-miss is being investigated by the FIA stewards, while a separate incident between Schumacher and Ricciardo at Turn 16-17 will be reviewed after FP1.
Stopwatch
Leclerc goes top with a 1m33.440s, just 0.009s quicker than Verstappen.

There's definitely inspiration taken from other F1 tracks all around this track. The tight Turn 11-16 section that dips under bridges is reminiscent of Singapore, the sweeping Turn 2-6 blast gives Yas Marina vibes.            

Stopwatch
Verstappen sets a 1m33.449s to up the pace at the top of the times.
Verstappen gives the wall a tiny tap coming under the bridge at Turn 13 but gets away with it. Elsewhere, Leclerc suffers a half-spin at the first corner after an Aston Martin went wide ahead.
Stopwatch
Zhou, Latifi and Perez all have separate runs off track but avoid any serious trouble to keep going. Verstappen is now on top with a 1m36.099s.
Stopwatch
Stroll provides the first timed lap around Miami, a 1m39.513s, to make him the fastest driver around the track in history. Don't worry, that joke won't be coming out again.
Heading out of the pits Ocon and Russell almost came together, with the Mercedes driver slamming on the brakes to avoid losing his new front wing under the Alpine. That incident has been noted by race control.
As expected, a host of drivers take to the track early to get familiar with the new surroundings. Just Schumacher yet to head out - does he know something we don't?
Lights green
Here we go! Welcome to Miami!

There's a myriad of special designs across the grid this weekend too, but more importantly there are a few upgrades from teams to keep an eye on: most pressing is Mercedes which has a new front wing, rear wing and beam wing.

But there is a 40% chance of rain in this session and with thunderstorms reported in the area it could be a factor as FP1 progresses and for FP2.
Sun
It is an absolute scorcher in Miami today as well, the air temperature is currently 33.4oC in sunny conditions which is heating the track to 52.4oC. A little bit different to a soggy Imola last time out.
The 3.363-mile, 19-turn circuit weaves around the Hard Rock Stadium and some areas in particular look very tight and fiddly. It'll be a real test for drivers to find speed without risking too much with the walls in practice.
The Miami International Autodrome is, of course, an all-new track so first practice will be a learning exercise for everyone. The track surface itself will be under scrutiny having come apart in places and repaired overnight.
Hello one and all! The most hyped up race weekend of all-time is about to begin with first practice for the Miami GP starting in 15 minutes. Who's excited?

By: autosport.com

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