Oscar Piastri extended his championship lead this weekend with a victory at the Miami GP. His McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, followed closely behind. The McLaren team, already the one to beat, seemed truly untouchable under dry conditions. Max Verstappen made a desperate attempt to keep them at bay, leading to a spectacular show in Miami that was eagerly consumed by the international media.
According to the Italian La Gazzetta dello Sport, Formula 1 is heading towards an internal title fight at McLaren – Oscar Piastri versus Lando Norris. “It will be virtually impossible to keep the world titles away from Woking this year,” the pink sports newspaper judged. “Max Verstappen, who started from pole position, finished in fourth place. A commendable performance, but he had to – and we are forced to use a term that does not exist in the vocabulary of the four-time world champion – concede to the formidable MCL39. The third and fourth finishers crossed the finish line almost forty seconds after McLaren.”
The media outlet relished the skirmishes in the opening phase of the race. However, once the dust had settled and Oscar Piastri had taken the lead, McLaren’s superiority became painfully clear. “It was almost embarrassing,” the report continued. Naturally, attention was also paid to Ferrari, the national pride. The Scuderia had a less successful race in Miami, marked by unrest over the team radio. “Ferrari completely collapsed in Miami,” according to the reporter on duty. The team is even said to be in an ‘identity crisis’: “Tension, mediocre performances, and a lack of mutual trust – both within and outside the team.”
‘Norris Desperate’
The British Daily Mail noted how Lando Norris once again paled next to Oscar Piastri. Granted, he finished just behind his teammate, but in the championship, the Australian’s lead continues to grow. “Nothing seemed to work as the British driver desperately tried to regain his hopes for the world title,” the report read. “Success is always so close, yet he keeps missing it. Of course, it has to fall his way at some point, but Norris also has to make it happen. He hasn’t quite mastered that trick yet. He qualified second – good, but not great in a McLaren. The real thorn in his side, besides Piastri, is Max Verstappen. The fact that he became a father to his first child, Lily, a few days ago has not extinguished his fire. He could change diapers all night without losing his potential behind the wheel.”
Show-Off Piastri
Our Eastern neighbors enjoyed a ‘top race’ in Miami. Where BILD in the past ran out of superlatives to describe the performances of Max Verstappen, this time it was mainly about the blundering Ferrari. The Dutchman played only a minor role during the Miami GP. “There was a fierce battle between the Ferrari drivers,” wrote the German medium. “Although both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were in the backfield of the top ten, the two became embroiled in a fierce battle via the team radio.”
Then on to Verstappen. “Max Verstappen wants to win his first Formula 1 race as a father – but is outsmarted by the clever Australian in the McLaren,” said BILD. “For ten laps he (Piastri, ed.) attacks, but nothing works. Until lap 14 and a hard attack in turn one. Verstappen tries to push Piastri wide, but brakes too late. Piastri stays calm, lets it happen and cuts inside. Brilliant! Verstappen grumbles about his worthless brakes, but must immediately defend against Norris. He wants to pass Verstappen in the next lap, but it doesn’t work yet.” The Germans saw how Piastri then immediately drove away from the fighters and thus claimed a new victory. “What a show-off,” they concluded with a wink.
Verstappen on the Edge of the Rules
“The pole sitter has never won in Miami,” wrote the French L’Équipe in conclusion. “Even at the fourth edition of the race, that remained the case. Max Verstappen, impressive in qualifying on Saturday, had to admit defeat to McLaren on Sunday. He fought like a lion, often on the edge of the rules – as we are used to from him. That provided spectacle in the first half of the race.” As soon as Piastri and Norris were past Verstappen, the fun was over.
“The papayas opened a gap, alternated with fastest race laps and consistently drove a second faster than the rest of the field,” said the French. “In 2024, the Miami GP meant the first victory for Norris in Formula 1 and the beginning of McLaren’s resurgence – a year that ended with the constructors’ title. This year, Miami confirms that McLaren is in a class of its own, and that even the immense talent of Verstappen is not always enough.”
