Miami F1 sprint chaos causes delay to qualifying

Qualifying for the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix has been delayed due to the chaos during the sprint race.

There were smashes for Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc while a heavy downpour caused a delayed start, playing havoc to the race schedule.

As a knock-on consequence, the FIA has been forced to shift the start of qualifying back 15 minutes to 4:15pm local time.

Lando Norris took the victory in the sprint race as he plotted his way through the carnage on the drying track.

Norris, who won this grand prix 12 months ago, hailed his "good luck" in Miami after capturing the F1 sprint win thanks to a well-timed safety car.

He said: “My luck in Miami seems pretty good at the minute, so I'm happy.

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Photo by: Rudy Carezzevoli / Motorsport Images

"It's always just difficult, these races, you never know when to box. Do you box early? It paid off for Lewis and he had a good strategy. Or do you stay out later and maybe get the safety car, you know? So it's worked two years in a row. 

"I probably would prefer if this happened tomorrow rather than today, but I'll take it. I'm happy. Good job by the team; it was good fun! "

Aston Martin is now in a race against time to have Alonso’s car fixed for qualifying. The Spaniard was hit by the Racing Bulls car of Liam Lawson and sent into the barriers causing extensive damage.

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