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Spanish Grand Prix 2024: European triple-header kicks off at Circuit de-Catalunya Barcelona

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11 months ago

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Spanish Grand Prix 2024: European triple-header kicks off at Circuit de-Catalunya Barcelona


Heading to Spain, Red Bull looks to win for 3rd Straight time. McLaren aims to continue their impressive form that was displayed at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. While Ferrari would like to forget the previous GP and come back on top.


The Spanish Grand Prix kicks off the triple header, as the European leg of the season starts. Red Bull’s recent technical woes and potential penalties cast a shadow over their dominance. Can they regain control, or will Ferrari capitalize on their momentum and a Barcelona track suited to their car? McLaren, the season’s surprise, and an upgraded Mercedes add spice to the mix, making this Spanish showdown a true test for all contenders.

Know The Circuit

Spanish Grand Prix 2024: European triple-header kicks off at Circuit de-Catalunya Barcelona


The Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, a 4.657 kilometer (2.894 mile) masterpiece nestled near Barcelona, Spain, is renowned for its ability to push both car and driver to their limits. Long stretches of high-speed straights, like the 1,047-meter pit straight, set the stage for exhilarating battles in acceleration and DRS-assisted overtaking maneuvers into the first turn, a crucial braking zone. Maintaining control and aerodynamic efficiency is paramount as drivers navigate a series of medium and high-speed corners, with Turns 3 and the Campsa corner complex (Turns 9 and 10) proving particularly challenging tests of a car’s balance and setup.

But Barcelona isn’t just about raw speed. Sharp chicanes like La Caixa (Turns 13 and 14) demand lightning-fast reflexes and precise steering inputs to maintain momentum through these tight turns. The final sector truly separates the skilled from the merely fast. Here, a combination of slow hairpins and medium-speed corners puts tire management at a premium. Drivers must find the perfect balance between pushing their car for optimal performance and preserving tire life for the crucial latter stages of the race.

This diverse layout ensures the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is a true test for all contenders. Teams need to meticulously craft a car with a well-rounded package, striking a crucial balance between downforce for the technical sections and a low-drag configuration for the high-speed straights.


Red Bull Chasing Consistency in Barcelona: Verstappen Leads, But Can They Follow?


Red Bull arrives in Barcelona with a spring in their step, thanks to Max Verstappen’s dominant win in Canada. Verstappen leads the driver’s championship comfortably, showcasing the raw speed of the RB17. However, beneath the celebratory surface, cracks are beginning to show.

Spanish Grand Prix 2024: European triple-header kicks off at Circuit de-Catalunya Barcelona
Max Verstappen and Oracle Red Bull Racing celebrate victory after the Grand Prix of Canada at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)


Reliability remains a concern. Sergio Perez’s retirement in Canada due to Perez’s late-race crash and 3-place grid penalty for the upcoming weekend. This makes it even harder for him to support Verstappen, especially on a track like Barcelona where overtaking is notoriously difficult.

Marko initially wanted Perez to wait for a contract extension so he would not slack off. This did happen in Canada. Marko said:
“He didn’t have to comply. We extended his contract because we wanted to bring calm to our team. Unfortunately, that didn’t work out. But now Checo has three races before the at three real circuits, so he can prove himself.”
Perez finished no further than eighth in Imola and then failed to score any points in the Monaco and Canada Grands Prix, after crashing in both races. As a result, he is currently ahead of Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz in the F1 championship.


“Coming into Spain I know I need a successful weekend, after a disaster in Canada,” Perez looks ahead to the Spanish GP. “Sometimes you are forced to reset a little and we have done that since the last race. I have been in Milton Keynes working with the Team to try and identify where and what we can do better to ensure I am getting the most out of this car.”


Throughout what has been a relatively tricky last six weeks or so for the reigning constructors’ champions, Red Bull have regularly hinted they expect things to run far more smoothly from this point onwards. The characteristics of the track in Barcelona, one of F1’s most used circuits for testing, are expected to suit the field-leading aerodynamic efficiency of the RB20.


Ferrari: Back on Track in Barcelona? (Maybe)


Ferrari arrives in Spain desperate to bounce back from a disastrous Canadian Grand Prix. A double retirement for Leclerc and Sainz left them empty-handed. However, there’s a flicker of hope as historically, the Circuit de Barcelona has suited their car’s characteristics.

The focus for Ferrari will be on reliability. They need to address the gremlins that plagued them in Canada to challenge for the win. Barcelona’s long straights should favor their powerful engine, but can they translate raw pace into race-day results?
While Ferrari has seemingly made strides this season, Vasseur warned against letting complacency creep into the situation.


“We have to continue like this, but the worst-case scenario would be to imagine that it’s done, that it will be like this until the end. We are competing more with McLaren or Red Bull and it will be up and down until the end of the season.
“We have to score good points when we are not at the top and to be able to win when we are there. But nothing changes.”


Reports out of Italy suggest that Ferrari is trying to speed up planned upgrades in order to be ready for the Spanish Grand Prix. New parts designed to improve speed were expected to be in place for the July 7 British Grand Prix.
But rather than waiting two more races, Ferrari is hoping to complete those upgrades immediately and roll them out in Barcelona. It seems that a double elimination led to enough frustration within the team that Ferrari decided not to wait two more races to make improvements.


Ferrari’s objective is for the updated floor to improve low speed-performance. It is almost certain that both drivers will have the new specifications. In addition to the new floor, we should see changes to the rear bodywork, tray area and ramps towards the diffuser, as well as improved small deflector elements.

This is an important step forward, which should respond to McLaren’s attack and repel the progress at Mercedes. Ferrari hopes to improve aerodynamic efficiency and load quality – which should allow them to keep the pressure on Verstappen. As always, the Barcelona circuit should provide a good verdict on the quality of work done.
Leclerc trails Verstappen in the championship, and a strong showing in Spain is crucial. Teammate Sainz, racing at his home Grand Prix, will be pushing hard to add some much-needed points for the Scuderia. Can Ferrari overcome their recent struggles and reignite their championship challenge?

McLaren: Momentum Masters in Spain?


McLaren heads to Barcelona riding a wave of momentum. Lando Norris’ maiden win in Miami and consistent podium finishes since have propelled them into third place in the constructors’ championship.

The key for McLaren will be adapting their car to the demands of the Circuit de Catalunya. While their car excels on street circuits, Barcelona’s mix of high-speed corners and long straights presents a different challenge. Can they find the right setup to maintain their recent strong performances?
Reports suggest McLaren will introduce a new floor designed to improve tire warm-up. This could be a game-changer for them in Spain. A well-functioning floor generates aerodynamic downforce that helps manage airflow over the tires, influencing their temperature and grip levels. Regarding the upgrades, in the upcoming races, Stella revealed:


“For the coming races, we will have some upgrades, but they won’t be a single kind of big upgrade like we have seen over the last 12 months. This is more some individual components where we found a little bit of performance and rather than waiting to deploy everything together once ready we take it track side. So I won’t say what but we will see some new stuff coming over the few coming races.”


Norris sits comfortably behind Leclerc in the driver’s standings, and a strong showing in Spain could see him close the gap. Teammate Oscar Piastri has also been impressive, consistently scoring points. McLaren needs to capitalize on their current form and translate it into consistent results.
Can McLaren maintain their momentum and solidify their position as the best of the rest, or will the unique demands of Barcelona expose weaknesses in their car?


Are Mercedes really back?
Following the Canadian Grand Prix, Mercedes had their finest weekend of the 2024 season. With a second-place finish after starting on pole, George Russell gave the team its first podium of the season, and teammate Lewis Hamilton’s fourth-place finish, along with the bonus point for the fastest lap of the race, helped the Silver Arrows earn 28 points over the course of the weekend in Montreal.


Mercedes has been trying to make upgrades all season long and is set to introduce a new floor upgrade for the Spanish Grand Prix, following the success of a new front wing introduced recently. The new front wing has improved the balance characteristics of the car and suggested progress in understanding the current ground effect machinery. The team is happy with the progress that has been made thus far. With further developments planned, including the new floor, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed optimism that the team is moving away from past difficulties where improvements didn’t meet expectations.

Previewing this weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff outlined

“We have continued to make incremental gains across the past few races. It was encouraging therefore to take another positive step forward in Canada,”
“Now directionally we seem to be adding performance every weekend and we have new stuff coming also, new parts coming in Barcelona that should help us. So I would very much hope that we can continue this positive trajectory.”

Carlos Sainz’s future
Two Formula One teams are making offers to Carlos Sainz, but they won’t hold out for long, and the Spanish Grand Prix, also a home race, is widely regarded as his chance to make a commitment to his career.

Sainz has to choose whether to commit to Audi, which is taking over the Sauber team ahead of the 2026 season, or give up on the possibility of a place at Mercedes. Nevertheless, it seems that a lot of rebuilding work is needed despite the abundance of resources available, not to mention the need to create a brand-new power unit that can rival the latest generation from well-known suppliers like Mercedes, Ferrari, and Honda.


That might be forcing Sainz toward Williams, which, although being at the end of the grid right now, is undergoing an amazing makeover under James Vowles’ leadership, supported by funding from owners Dorilton Capital. The team anticipates that this will result in better performance when 2026 and 2027 roll around. Additionally, it hopes to gain from the brand-new power units that go into service in 2026. Williams’ agreement ensures that Mercedes, which had the best unit by a wide margin following the most recent significant regulation change in 2014, will continue to provide it
But Sainz’s decision is only the beginning. His pick might serve as the catalyst for a chain reaction of driver actions, with the team Sainz rejects then going for their second option and possibly causing more moves that will fill several of the eight open spots on the 2025 grid.

Weather Conditions


FRIDAY, JUNE 21 – FP1 AND FP2
Maximum temperature expected: 26 Celsius
Minimum temperature expected: 16 Celsius

SATURDAY, JUNE 22 – FP3 AND QUALIFYING
Maximum temperature expected: 27 Celsius
Minimum temperature expected: 17 Celsius


SUNDAY, JUNE 23 – THE RACE
Maximum temperature expected: 23 Celsius
Minimum temperature expected: 17 Celsius

Weekend Schedule

You can watch all the sessions live on F1TV or Fancode. The detailed schedule is given below:

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Formula 1

Miami GP Thrills: Piastri’s Hat-Trick Seals McLaren’s Domination

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23 hours ago

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May 8, 2025

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Miami GP Thrills: Piastri’s Hat-Trick Seals McLaren’s Domination
Credit - the-race.com

Papaya Power: McLaren’s Statement Weekend

McLaren delivered a flawless performance in Miami GP, walking away with maximum points in both the Sprint and Sunday’s Grand Prix. In what has become a familiar sight, Oscar Piastri led the charge, claiming his third consecutive Grand Prix victory and cementing his status as the 2025 title favorite.

Saturday’s Sprint was briefly derailed for Piastri by a late-race Safety Car, allowing teammate Lando Norris to swoop in and snatch P1. However, Sunday belonged to Oscar, who cruised to victory after Norris’s early clash with Max Verstappen at Turn 1. The incident forced Norris off track, denying him a proper shot at the win.

Post-race, Norris made headlines by stating, “It’s crash or don’t pass with Max,” accusing Verstappen of “not racing smart.” While Norris showed pace, the challenge now is translating it into strategic, successful racecraft under pressure.


Verstappen Fights Hard, But Falls Short

Red Bull faced a rare stumble in the Miami GP. Max Verstappen’s weekend began with a nightmare — a 10-second penalty for an unsafe pit release during the Sprint dropped him to P17, marking his first non-scoring finish in nearly a decade.

Miami GP - Max Verstappen
Credit – Red Bull Content Pool

Yuki Tsunoda salvaged some pride by finishing P6 in the Sprint and grabbing the final point in Sunday’s race. Verstappen’s recovery drive in the Grand Prix was gritty but not enough. After fierce battles with the McLarens and a post-Safety Car shuffle, he found himself stuck behind George Russell, finishing a frustrated P4.

Mercedes Returns to the Podium

Kimi Antonelli shocked the grid on Friday with a sensational Sprint pole, showing that Mercedes’ future is bright. But a Turn 1 tangle with Piastri and a drive-through penalty — triggered by Verstappen’s unsafe release — derailed his Sprint hopes.

In Sunday’s race, the rookie started P3 but dropped back to finish P6. George Russell, meanwhile, quietly went about his business. After being outqualified by Antonelli, Russell capitalized on a mid-race Safety Car to leapfrog Verstappen and secure a hard-earned P3 — Mercedes’ first Miami GP podium.

Williams Shows True Grit

The Grove-based outfit impressed again with sheer pace. While Saturday’s Sprint didn’t go their way — Carlos Sainz suffered a puncture and Albon missed the top ten — Sunday was a redemption story.

Albon delivered a stellar P5 finish, once again showing his maturity and speed under pressure. Sainz, engaged in a fierce midfield battle, brought home a solid P9. Together, they added 12 points to Williams’ growing tally and continued to punch above their weight.

Ferrari: Strategic Misfires and Internal Friction

It was a weekend of contrasts for Ferrari. Saturday saw Charles Leclerc crash on his out lap to the grid, ending his Sprint before it began. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton capitalized on a slick tire gamble to take a surprising P3.

Sunday was far less fruitful. Ferrari lacked race pace, and strategic confusion reigned — with Hamilton on fresher tires stuck behind Leclerc for several laps. Frustrated radio calls highlighted growing tension. The Scuderia crossed the line in P7 and P8, continuing their trend of inconsistent race-day execution.

Aston Martin: Lone Points for Stroll

A chaotic weekend yielded just four points for Aston Martin, courtesy of Lance Stroll’s composed Sunday drive. Fernando Alonso had a forgettable outing, with Sprint-ending contact and a solo spin in the same corner during the race capping off a frustrating weekend.

Alpine’s Tumultuous Turn: On and Off Track

Alpine’s on-track performance continued to underwhelm — Pierre Gasly snatched a single Sprint point, while Jack Doohan’s Grand Prix ended on Lap 1 due to a puncture.

The big story, however, was off-track. Team Principal Oliver Oakes stepped down, replaced by the returning Flavio Briatore. In another shake-up, Doohan was dropped, with Argentine talent Franco Colapinto announced as his replacement for Imola.

Standings


Oscar Piastri now leads the Drivers’ Championship with authority, while McLaren’s back-to-back double podiums have catapulted them into the lead in the Constructors’ standings.

Next Stop: Imola

The paddock now heads to Imola — a track where McLaren traditionally shines. Lando Norris has fond memories here, while Piastri will be keen to extend his winning streak. All eyes will also be on debutant Franco Colapinto and whether Max Verstappen can claw back momentum in the title fight.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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Formula 1

Jack Doohan: The Unfortunate Case of Aussie in 2025

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1 day ago

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May 7, 2025

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Jack Doohan: The Unfortunate Case of Aussie in 2025

May 7 2025 – a date Jack Doohan will never forget – marked the day that Argentine driver Franco Colapinto was announced as Doohan’s replacement at Alpine. Son of Mick Doohan, Australian rookie Jack Doohan had been under pressure of losing his seat way before he got to start his first full season at Albert Park, his home race. Rumours of him having only 5 races to prove his worth, until eventually being replaced by Colapinto, started spreading across the paddock during F1 testing. And since then, it had only gotten worse for Doohan with his rookie errors, and sub-par performance.

With a top tier start to his karting career, the kid from Gold Coast, Queensland, seemed to be destined for greatness. The son of a five-time MotoGP World Champion, introduced to racing in a kart gifted by a seven-time Formula 1 World Champion – it was a story that set the stage for Doohan’s career. Unfortunately for him, genes and funding were not enough to save his short-lived Formula 1 career at Alpine.

Let’s review his performance across the seven races he took part in as an Alpine driver.

Jack Doohan and Franco Colapinto

SEASON OPENERS

Jack Doohan had a lukewarm debut in Melbourne, having qualified P14 , with his teammate Pierre Gasly outqualifying him at P9. The wet season opener was a tricky race for the rookies as even F1 veterans, like Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz, struggled to keep the car on track. Doohan under slippery conditions ended his race in the barriers, at turn 5 on the first lap.

Jack expressed his views on his disappointing start to the season during post-race interviews:

“Lesson Learned.”

Shanghai was an opportunity for Doohan to come back stronger after a disappointing season opener in front of his home crowd. Despite starting the Sprint Race at P16, he finished last at P20.

Jack Doohan: The Unfortunate Case of Aussie in 2025

Jack was also given a 10-second time penalty for causing a collision with Gabriel Bortoleto, but the penalty made no difference, as he qualified P20 anyway. He was handed another 10-second time penalty during the race for forcing Isack Hadjar off the track, resulting in him finishing P13.

ASIAN TRIPLE HEADER

The Japanese GP was an uneventful race, with the top 10 finishing in the same order as they qualified, apart from Lewis Hamilton and Isack Hadjar swapping between P7 and P8. In contrast, Jack Doohan’s P15 finish, having started 4 places below – at P19 – sounds delightful. But despite his efforts of maintaining a clean race, he’ll be remembered for his crash during FP2. Doohan forgot to manually press the DRS button to close the rear wing flap, resulting in a hefty crash at Turn 1. Although it was similar to Marcus Ericsson’s infamous crash due to DRS failure at Monza 2018, in Doohan’s case, it was confirmed to be a driver error, rather than a mechanical failure.

After the pre-season testing at Bahrain, the teams had enough data about the track and their cars to bring necessary upgrades. Alpine’s package seemed promising as Doohan put his car up at a career-best P11 in qualifying, which he converted into a P14 in the race, earning a 5-second time penalty for impeding track limits.

Jeddah, another uneventful race for Doohan, was where he qualified P17 and ended the race in the same position, while his teammate Gasly retired due to collision damage.

FLAWED AT FLORIDA

Miami being a sprint weekend, provided Doohan with 2 separate racing events to prove his worth to his team. He qualified P17 for the sprint and remained at the back of the field, only finishing ahead of Max Verstappen, who dropped to last after his 10-second time penalty. Unfortunately, this seemed to be the highlight of his weekend as he retired after a collision with Lawson on the first lap of the Grand Prix.

Alpine Struggles

The BWT Alpine F1 Team stands at 9th position in the World Constructors Championship 2025 with 7 points – merely one point ahead of Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber at 10th. With the Doohan drama going on, Oliver Oakes, Alpine’s team principal, seemed to be his only support within the team. Oakes – who relaunched Hitech GP, a British motor racing team in 2015 – is close with Jack, as he raced for the same team in the F3 Asian Championship in 2019. As power struggles arise within the team during discussions related to Doohan’s future, they issued a statement on 7th May 2025 announcing Oliver’s resignation with immediate effect.

The news of Flavio Briatore taking over Oliver Oakes’ role at the team was music to Colapinto’s ears, as he had been very critical of Doohan from the start while praising the Argentine throughout.

Flavio comments on the situation, denying favouritism rumours:

“I don’t accept it when they say that Doohan was under pressure, because when you arrive in Formula 1, everyone is under pressure.”

Multiple reports claimed that Franco Colapinto was set to replace Doohan from the Imola GP. And just 12 hours after Oliver’s resignment, BWT Alpine F1 Team announces the Franco-Doohan swap with immediate effect. It all lined up perfectly for Franco Colapinto but also for Italian businessman Flavio Briatore, who had been looking for his comeback in Formula 1 after being banned from the sport in 2008 for cheating scandals.

Although it has been stated that Franco makes the step up only for the next 5 races, judging by his past performances and Alpine’s bias towards him, it looks like he is here to stay for the remainder of the season. He will be closely monitored till the Austrian GP as Jack Doohan still stays with the team, taking on the role of first-choice Reserve Driver.

Alpine’s choice to let Franco take the seat, albeit rushed, seems justified. The young Argentine’s Formula 1 track record is exceptional, having made his debut with Williams last year as he replaced the underperforming Logan Sargeant. He performed really well and kept his then-teammate Alex Albon on his toes. In his second race at Baku, he outscored Nicolas Latifi and Logan Sargeant’s total points tally in 68 GPs, finishing P8.

Even though Jack didn’t deliver his best performance, you can’t not feel bad for the rookie. 6 races should not be the benchmark for a rookie to perform at the highest levels, but unfortunately in this day and age of Formula 1, it is pretty much do or die. With multiple young talents waiting for you to slip up, make a mistake, and snatch your seat, average performance sees no place to thrive.

Doohan says, after the swap:

“I will keep my head down, keep working hard.”

It is tough to see someone’s career start with a kart gifted from seven-time F1 World Champion Michael Schumacher, and end abruptly with only 7 races under his name. Never finishing in points and 2 DNFs; we, with a heavy heart, bid goodbye to Jack Doohan.

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Formula 1

Miami GP 2025: Absolute Thriller Weekend Awaits In The Sunshine State

Formula 1 heads to the Sunshine state for the Miami GP this weekend.

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1 week ago

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May 1, 2025

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Daniel Ricciardo of Australia driving the (3) Visa Cash App RB VCARB 01 on track during the Miami GP at Miami International Autodrome on May 05, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)

Formula 1 heads to the shores of Miami for its 6th outing in the 2025 season. The Miami GP takes place from May 2 to 4 at the Miami International Autodrome, bringing high-speed action and signature South Florida energy to the F1 calendar. Now in its fourth year, the event features the Sprint format once again, delivering competitive sessions across all three days. With McLaren and Oscar Piastri leading the championships, the race promises key battles on a 5.4 km street-style circuit winding around Hard Rock Stadium.

About The Track

Miami GP 2025: Absolute Thriller Weekend Awaits In The Sunshine State
Miami Track Layout. Credit: Formula 1

The Miami International Autodrome is a 5.41 km (3.36 miles) temporary street circuit built around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Designed to combine the feel of a street track with the flow of a traditional circuit, it features 19 corners and three DRS zones that provide overtaking opportunities. The most technically demanding section lies between Turns 13 and 16, where elevation changes and a tight chicane test the precision and balance of each car. The layout’s mix of long acceleration zones and slow corners puts a priority on traction, braking stability, and straight-line speed, making setup choices a key strategic variable for teams across the weekend.


Pirelli’s Specification


Pirelli brings its softest compound range to Miami, emphasising tire management across practice, sprint, and race sessions. With high track temperatures and evolving grip levels, teams will need to manage degradation to stay competitive. As one of three U.S. races this season, Miami has quickly grown into a strategic and performance-critical round.

Stories This Weekend

Cadillac to Unveil 2026 Challenger

Cadillac, F1’s upcoming 11th team, will reveal its 2026 challenger on Saturday, along with a possible announcement of its driver lineup. Rumours swirl around Sergio Perez and Zhou Guanyu, both of whom will be present in Miami. The American outfit aims to make a statement ahead of its official debut next season.



McLaren on a Roll

Oscar Piastri heads to Miami riding a two-race winning streak and leads the Drivers’ Championship. Teammate Lando Norris, meanwhile, returns to the scene of his maiden win in 2024, where he defeated Max Verstappen by 8 seconds. While both drivers are delivering strong results, McLaren has yet to officially back a No.1 driver this season, making intra-team dynamics another narrative to follow.

Embed from Getty Images


Red Bull Looks to Strike Back

After showing strong pace in Saudi Arabia, Red Bull will be aiming to bounce back in Miami. Team Principal Christian Horner claimed their performance was on par, if not faster, than McLaren’s in earlier rounds. Max Verstappen, just two points behind Norris, will be hunting for a win, while teammate Yuki Tsunoda seeks redemption after a first-lap crash with Pierre Gasly last time out.

Miami GP 2025: Absolute Thriller Weekend Awaits In The Sunshine State
JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – APRIL 20: Max Verstappen of the Netherlands driving the (1) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB21 leads Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL39 Mercedes on track during the F1 Grand Prix of Saudi Arabia at Jeddah Corniche Circuit on April 20, 2025 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images/Red Bull Content Pool)

Mercedes Aiming for a Reset

Mercedes struggled with tire temperatures and degradation in the previous round, ending George Russell’s podium streak. With a week’s break to regroup, the team will be pushing to address those issues. Russell currently sits 26 points behind Piastri, while rookie teammate Kimi Antonelli is steadily adapting and looking to move up the standings.

Miami GP 2025: Absolute Thriller Weekend Awaits In The Sunshine State
George Russell during the 2025 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Friday – Richard Pardon


Ferrari Finding Their Feet

Charles Leclerc secured Ferrari’s first podium of the season last round, finishing nearly a minute ahead of teammate Lewis Hamilton. Leclerc benefited from running in clean air and executing a strong overcut strategy. Hamilton had a more subdued outing, but the team is hopeful that simulator work during the break will yield a stronger performance this weekend.

Embed from Getty Images


Williams Staying Consistent

Williams continues to rack up crucial early-season points, which could prove pivotal in the Constructors’ Championship payout. Alex Albon has led the charge, while Carlos Sainz is gradually getting comfortable in the car and showing signs of matching his teammate’s pace.

Embed from Getty Images

Haas Eye Points at Home

After missing out on points in the last round, Haas will be highly motivated to deliver at their home race. With sponsors and fans in attendance, both Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon will be pushing to capitalise on familiar conditions and score for the American team.

Weekend Schedule

Weather Forecast

Friday: 28°C, Wind 19 km/h, 15% chance of rain

Saturday: 27°C, Wind 17 km/h, 45% chance of rain

Sunday: 29°C, Wind 15 km/h, 65% chance of rain

With changing weather conditions and a Sprint format, teams will need to find a balanced setup that can adapt to dynamic track evolution. Strategy and tire calls could prove decisive throughout the weekend.

Desi Racing Co. is dedicated to bringing the latest updates and insights from the world of motorsport. Whether it’s Formula 1, Formula 2, WEC, MotoGP, Indian motorsports, or other racing series, we’ve got you covered! Stay connected with us for in-depth motorsport coverage. Follow us on Twitter/X, Instagram, and LinkedIn to keep up with the latest motorsport news and updates.

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