Miami Grand Prix – The editorial’s predictions

The Miami Grand Prix will take place this Sunday, in the evening in Europe, following a traditional format. Free practice sessions will be held on Friday evening, qualifying on Saturday evening, and the normal race on Sunday. The circuit has just been completed, and the tarmac will be very abrasive. Tire degradation will therefore be an important factor in managing the race on Sunday, even if the weather is still uncertain.

After a season start where Red Bull and Ferrari share the victories, two each, one can rightfully be confused this weekend in light of this new circuit.

The characteristics of the Miami circuit

The layout is completely flat, as it is built on the parking lot around the Hard Rock stadium. Sector 1 consists of fast corners where neither Red Bull nor Ferrari are bad.

Sector 2 is a long straight line that should favor Red Bull’s top speed, but then it continues with a series of tight corners where Ferrari should be more comfortable.

Sector 3 is composed of a very long straight line where once again the top speed of the Red Bulls is a key important factor.

Red Bull had an interesting pace at Imola, on a narrow circuit with complicated overtaking. Red Bull could also have the advantage here, but the track will offer 3 DRS zones and easier overtaking: on a wider track with runoff areas in asphalt that therefore offer greater risk-taking.

Measuring 5,412 kilometers in length, this circuit will have to be covered 57 times. The tires will be key to success, with abrasive asphalt and fast corners that will wear them out in sector 2. Finally, the straight lines will penalize teams with a lot of drag, although some, like Ferrari, handle it very well.

Length: 5,412 Kms

Number of laps: 57

Total distance: 308,326 kilometers

Reliability and innovations

Ferrari and Mercedes have both announced that they will bring new parts this weekend.

The performances could thus be improved due to the efforts made by the teams to not bring “unnecessary” parts this season, because of the capped budgets.

In terms of reliability, Red Bull is at a disadvantage this season. According to the statistics, there is therefore a fifty-fifty chance this weekend that they will not finish the Grand Prix with one of their two drivers. However, if we consider the statistics for a full season, they should still have a better chance of completing the race.

Our predictions

The name that stands out the most for the pole position is Max Verstappen. The editorial team also sees Perez as a potential pole-sitter, but Leclerc is mentioned less often for Ferrari.

For the race, some are betting on the arrival of rain during the race to sow chaos and provoke a few little surprises.

Norris is notably mentioned on the podium, just like Russell or Hamilton. Russell is even mentioned for the victory. However, the names that come up the most for the victory are Verstappen and Leclerc.

And you, how do you see the race?