Max Verstappen Weathered the Storm: Miami GP Dramatic Opening Lap
Verstappen Holds Off Norris’ Challenge for Pole Position
“It was a chaotic start to the 57-lap race,” recounts the drama at the Miami Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen fought to maintain his lead from pole position. The Red Bull driver got off to a strong start, but things quickly turned tense.
Locking Up at Turn 1
As Verstappen sped towards Turn 1, he locked up on the low-grip surface, briefly opening the door for Lando Norris to make a move. However, Norris’ attempt to sweep around Verstappen ended up pushing him off the track and down to sixth place.
Antonelli’s Pursuit
With Norris out of the picture, it was up to Kimi Antonelli to challenge Verstappen for control. Despite pushing hard, Antonelli couldn’t quite make the pass and maintained his second position.
Elsewhere on the Track
- Jack Doohan reported a puncture, later shown to be the result of a collision with Liam Lawson in a heated battle.
- Catch up on the opening lap’s action with the video player above.
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Did You Know?
Verstappen’s tough defense at Turn 1 echoes his grandmother, Jos van Vught, who was a successful racing driver herself in the ’60s and ’70s. “She used to beat quite a lot of the boys, and that was quite remarkable at the time,” Verstappen once said about his grandmother’s influence.
Looking Ahead
As the race continues, all eyes will be on Verstappen to see if he can maintain his lead under pressure. With the intense competition on display, it’s anyone’s game. Stay tuned for all the live coverage here.