#Verstappen enjoys Friday practice after topping FP2 while team mate Perez laments tough start in Miami

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Verstappen enjoys Friday practice after topping FP2 while team mate Perez laments tough start in Miami

Red Bull’s duelling drivers had contrasting fortunes on the opening day of practice for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix as FP2 leader Max Verstappen said he had a "good day" and team mate Sergio Perez said he struggled throughout. After George Russell led FP1 ahead of Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen returned to the top of the timesheets in FP2 with a blistering effort ahead of Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and his team mate Charles Leclerc, who crashed late in FP2 to bring out a red flag. READ MORE: Red Bull's Verstappen shrugs off issue to top second Miami practice session as Leclerc crashes late on “I think it was a good day," said the reigning champion. "Initially I think it was getting used to the track a bit with the new tarmac, I think it was really ramping up a lot throughout the day, but always felt good in the car and we had good balance out there." He added: "It’s still slippery off-line. I think on the driving line it is quite ok, but as soon as you go a little off-line, it is a lot less grip. But it is the same for everyone, but most importantly today we had a good balance in the car to start with, so I felt happy." Verstappen led Sainz in FP2 The Dutchman, who finished fourth and between the Ferraris in FP1, conceded that there was homework to do – adding that the skies could throw up some surprises later in the weekend. “I mean there’s still a few little things we want to look at,” continued Verstappen. “Ideally you want to be faster in every single corner, but that’s not always possible. We also have to see what the weather will do, but overall, a positive day.” As for Sergio Perez, who finished 11th in FP1 and improved to P4 in FP2, the Mexican driver was not so happy as he lamented a lack of grip and called his flying effort a “pretty bad” one given a lock-up in the final corner in second practice. MUST-SEE: Hulkenberg brings out the red flags during FP1 in Miami after slamming into the wall Perez finished fourth in FP2 and said he struggled to set a faster lap “I haven’t had the greatest of Fridays but my lap was also pretty bad," said Perez. "I locked up on the final corner, so there is quite a bit to come. I think together, with my driving, I am not driving really well today so I think that, if I’m able to improve my driving and get myself a bit more comfortable, it should be alright. “We’ve been trying a few [things] with the mechanical balance, and yeah, I think we learned quite a bit and in the long run I don’t think we managed to get a read because of the very few laps that we ended up doing out there, but generally I think we got a good baseline.” There’s still plenty of running to go with FP3 and qualifying on Saturday as Perez aims to bridge the six-point gap to Verstappen this weekend in Miami – but rain could threaten Red Bull's winning streak. Watch the Miami GP live with F1 TV Pro For the Miami Grand Prix, F1 TV Pro is offering a 7-day free trial so you can test drive the service for free in selected countries (USA, Canada, Netherlands and Brazil). Jump in. Start your 7-day free trial now.* *Renews to full price unless cancelled. Web and app only. Excludes previous free trialists. T&cs apply. via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

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GALLERY: Check out the special Miami GP helmet designs by Sargeant Gasly Verstappen and more

Formula 1 has descended upon the Sunshine State for the highly anticipated second edition of the Miami Grand Prix, and a few drivers – including Florida native Logan Sargeant – will be rocking some superbly creative one-off helmet designs this weekend. Logan Sargeant The American will technically have three home races this season – with Austin and Las Vegas to come later in the year – but it does not get closer to home than in the state you were born in, and in the city you used to race karts as a child. And he will be sporting a new helmet this weekend that, while having similar colours to his usual lid, features some local touches, such as the palm trees, the huge Miami sign plastered across the front and more. READ MORE: Williams driver Sargeant says first race on home circuit in Miami a ‘big hurdle to climb’ Pierre Gasly Pink is a colour that is often associated with Miami, and Gasly’s one-off lid features a heavy dose of it on his special design. It also features a touch of sky blue, another colour associated with Miami, with his logo plastered all around his helmet. Alex Albon The Williams driver is known to be quite a keen golfer, it also helps that his partner Lily Muni He is a professional. And in tribute to the golf balls he hits on the fairway, his helmet is designed like one this weekend. Also, if you haven’t already, check out his acting skills in the helmet launch video on his socials. IT'S RACE WEEK: 5 storylines we're excited about ahead of the Miami Grand Prix Esteban Ocon Like his team mate, Ocon’s one-off helmet also features a heavy dose of pink and sky blue, but in a much darker tone. In a simple design, you can see palm trees, a staple in Miami, drawn around the sides and back, and the American flag at the top. Lando Norris Norris caught the eye with his basketball designed helmet for last year’s Miami GP. So he went away and thought about how he could top that this year. Having thought long and hard about it, he decided that instead of a basketball, he would go for a beach ball, and it looks incredible. PADDOCK INSIDER: Why the F1 drivers and fans are pumped for Miami’s sophomore Grand Prix Max Verstappen Last year’s winner in Miami has brought his own unique style this weekend, and while it is a similar design to his usual helmet, it features some different colours. And like many of his counterparts, he has gone with those that best represent Miami, namely pink and both sky and dark blue. READ MORE: Verstappen enjoys Friday practice after topping FP2 while team mate Perez laments tough start in Miami Kevin Magnussen As a member of the lone American team in the paddock, it is only right that Magnussen brought his own special helmet design for the weekend. The Dane has traded in his usual red for a navy blue and white number that features a huge letter K painted on the sides and the back. We will let you figure out what that stands for. Charles Leclerc & Carlos Sainz Ferrari have gone for the double launch, as both drivers have brought their own special designs for the weekend. Leclerc has traded in his usual red for a white layout this weekend, that features a flowery Hawaiiain shirt pattern style. On the other hand, Sainz has stuck to his usual dark theme, although the Spaniard has added in some Miami vice colours, but in metallic form. MUST-SEE: Leclerc ends second practice for the Miami GP in the barriers with late crash Nico Hulkenberg Hulkenberg is racing in Miami for the first time, and he has brought his own unique touch on the weekend. It seems he has gone for a heavy palm tree theme on his lid, as it also matches what he was wearing upon entering the paddock on Thursday. via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com

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Hulkenberg says he paid the price for unnecessary risk after crashing out of FP1

Nico Hulkenberg’s FP1 session ended in spectacular fashion as the Haas driver crashed out of the running. Despite that, he said it was a “good day” as the German driver turned in his first laps of Miami in an F1 car. Hulkenberg went wide at Turn 3 and slid into the barriers around halfway into the opening practice session at Miami, with his Haas coming to a stop with damage to the right-hand side. The team put in a shift to get him back out for FP2, where he completed 22 laps and finished 17th. FP2: Red Bull's Verstappen shrugs off issue to top second Miami practice session as Leclerc crashes late on “Yeah, I just wanted a bit too much too soon, and paid the price for it as it happens or as it is on street circuits,” began Hulkenberg. “Not ideal, it was a bit unnecessary there, but it happens unfortunately sometimes. “Luckily not too much damage and we picked things up in FP2 in a good spot actually. The car actually handles and fits quite well to this place. I like the track a lot too because it’s the first time out for me in a Formula 1 car, it’s quite technical, challenging, and yeah, had a good day despite the incident in [FP1].” The American team have brought upgrades to the VF-23 for their first home race of the season and Hulkenberg remarked that the new bits gave him a positive feeling at the end of a truncated Friday. “Yeah there was a big [update] for us today to learn about it and learn about some different runs and cross comparisons. I think it’s positive, definitely heading in the right direction. Obviously today and tonight we will exploit more with the data, analyse everything, and come up with the best package tomorrow.” READ MORE: Verstappen enjoys Friday practice after topping FP2 while team mate Perez laments tough start in Miami Looking ahead to Saturday, with qualifying for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix to come, Hulkenberg kept his cards close to his chest. “I think [a strong result is] possible but it’s tight and you have to really hit it on the head and make it stick. Gut feeling is that we have that potential and tomorrow will tell.” via Formula 1 News https://www.formula1.com