Formula 1: Look back into first-ever F1 race at Miami GP

Max Verstappen came from third to win the inaugural race at the Miami International Autodrome.

The Miami Grand Prix (Miami GP) returns in a Formula 1 season for the second time as the fifth round of the 2023 F1 season. After this weekend, the traveling circus sails towards the European section of the calendar across the pond for the next ten successive races.

American reception of the first-ever Miami GP

Miami International Autodrome only debuted last year. The spectacle invited much fanfare, with A-listers flocking to Florida for the race weekend.

F1 filled their purses with exorbitant ticket pricing and astronomical sales making the event quite profitable. Much of the popularity among Americans originated due to Netflix's exclusive docuseries- "Drive to Survive," which brought millions of fresh eyeballs to the sport.

The temporary setting around the Hard Rock Stadium would not require a falsified "cringeworthy" marina again to reflect the theme of Miami, as the marquee event failed to appease the viewers, attendees, and drivers during its last rendition, leaving a bad taste in their mouths.

What happened last year at Miami GP?

In 2022, World Drivers' Champion Max Verstappen took the chequered flag after starting from the third position on the grid. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz out-qualified the Dutch Red Bull driver to secure P1 and P2 for themselves, but failed to transform it into a win when it mattered the most.

Though the three secured podiums, the race, for the purpose of being memorable or entertaining, did not give us much action. The race became a bit chaotic for all the wrong reasons. Drivers found the chicanes at turns 14 and 15 problematic. Overusage of kerbs, unwarranted elevation alongside a questionable wall design with substandard management made the event a topic of global scrutiny.

This year the track has been resurfaced with some of the issues already tackled. On its second coming, the Miami GP can change its perception with reasonable chances of rain on Sunday building for our anticipation.

The story of this season

This season, Red Bull's Sergio Perez has tackled the street circuits on his meritorious prowess, but trailing a mere five points behind his teammate for the Drivers' Championship, it could bring the worst out of both drivers. Ferrari would be concerned about failing to match strides with the frontrunners as they clearly lacked pace during the race at Azerbaijan.

It was weird, considering Leclerc dominated with magnificent speed in the qualifying session and the sprint shootout but failed to win any of the two races. The fight between the Prancing Horses, Mercedes, and Aston Martin could be something that can make the narrative of the upcoming races, particularly interesting.