F1 roars again in Miami, but the road is not clear at all
After five weeks of silence – courtesy of the war in Iran that ruined a couple of races in the Middle East – Formula 1 lands in Miami. And it doesn’t come alone: it brings regulation changes, drivers who don’t bite their tongues, and a weather forecast that promises drama.
What changed? A band-aid for an underlying problem
The FIA took advantage of the break to get involved in the rules, after the drivers destroyed the first three races of the year. The problem: Battery electric power transformed cars and competition. The solution? A patch, according to those behind the wheel.
“It’s a caress,” said Max Verstappen, who does not hide his annoyance. “It’s not yet what we need to go deep. It’s difficult for everyone to agree. I just hope that next year there will be very, very big changes.”
The Dutchman, who has hinted at leaving the category, is not the only one who feels that this is not enough.
The drivers want a seat at the table, not just an opinion
Lewis Hamilton, seven-time champion, was straighter than a straight on a street circuit:
“The reality is that we don’t have a seat at the table. We talk to the FIA and F1, but we are not interested parties. We want the sport to be successful, but it is like taking baby steps.”
Verstappen, although he acknowledged that there were “good meetings”, made it clear that this is just a starting point. “In a few years, when I may be gone, I hope the drivers will have more of a say. Most of us understand what makes F1 a fun product.”
Improvements everywhere, but Mercedes is still the rival to beat
The break also allowed the 11 teams to get their hands on their cars. Charles Leclerc summed it up like this:
“It’s going to be strange to see so many improvements in so many teams. Most will bring almost new cars, but I doubt that will change the order drastically.”
The Ferrari driver believes Mercedes – with George Russell and Kimi Antonelli winning the first three races – is still a step ahead. “They are too far away to reach just with what we bring here,” he confessed.
And the sky threatens to be the true rival
On Sunday you not only race against the stopwatch, but against the clouds. The National Weather Service forecasts thunderstorms for all of South Florida. And no wonder: lightning is the main “meteorological killer” in the state.
“In the wet, we are passengers,” said Leclerc with brutal honesty. “It’s not about being brave. You go full throttle and hope that no one is slower than you. It’s not a good feeling.”
The race could be delayed or even suspended if the medical helicopter is unable to fly. So, as the engines prepare to roar, everyone looks to the sky. Because in Miami, the spectacle can come from both the asphalt and the clouds.
