Max Verstappen will look again on this Miami Grand Prix on the finish of the yr and surprise precisely how he managed to beat his team-mate Sergio Perez to the victory because the Dutchman had no proper to be forward on the finish. It was a disastrous qualifying session for Verstappen as he was unable to get a lap time in Q3, which means he would begin Sunday's race in ninth.
Perez in the meantime took his alternative to take pole forward of Fernando Alonso. In actuality, Perez knew his battle would nonetheless come in opposition to Verstappen in some unspecified time in the future within the race, however he ought to have been out of sight in the identical automobile.
He is proven that he can combine it with Verstappen this yr having received two races already forward of his team-mate. The 2 had been on very completely different methods to begin the race, however Perez appeared beneath strain from the very first lap regardless of Verstappen being down in ninth.
It did not take lengthy for Verstappen to chop his manner by means of the sector regardless of staff orders from Purple Bull to try to handle his tyres. In the meantime, Perez was not profiting from being on the softer medium compound and Verstappen was quickly simply two seconds behind him on observe.
The Mexican needed to pit for the onerous tyres and seemed as if he would be capable to undercut his title rival at one stage, however Verstappen managed his race expertly earlier than coming in to make his pit cease earlier than simply passing Perez for the win. In the identical automobile and with equivalent energy setups, Verstappen was someway capable of blow Perez out of the water in a transfer harking back to what occurred recurrently final yr.
How Perez performs in 2023 could be the solely factor that saves this yr from being a predictable affair. Take nothing away from Verstappen's sheer class and superiority as he is proving his case as one of many sport's greatest-ever drivers.
Do not miss...
However F1 as a spectacle cannot survive with races like this in Miami or final week in Baku with neither creating a lot drama or leisure. The race within the midfield nonetheless manages to offer some curiosity, however the largest pull is at all times for the battle on the entrance.
There's nonetheless loads of time for groups to meet up with Purple Bull and Mercedes have plans to carry main updates to Imola later this month. Perez has confirmed he can battle with Verstappen at instances this yr, however this was a marker from Verstappen on simply what he can obtain when he is on prime kind.
And that would show lethal for the remaining 18 races of the yr in additional methods than one.