Oscar Piastri was the fastest in the first free practice session, in a weekend still wide open. The key remains the second sector, where session-best time was set by Lando Norris — the same sector where Ferrari is losing most of its time. Judgement is still pending for Max Verstappen, equipped with a new floor but limited by a Honda power unit still running in conservative mode, as well as for the Mercedes duo, who focused instead on race pace.
Qualifying simulations
As usual in Miami, teams and drivers faced a very dirty track, which will continue to evolve over the coming days and already influenced the early qualifying simulations depending on when drivers went out. Another factor to consider is the varying level of conservativeness in engine maps during practice, especially on a power-sensitive track full of straights. In the first practice session, the Mercedes-powered teams — including McLaren — appeared more aggressive, unlike Red Bull-Honda, with Max Verstappen losing two tenths in both the second and third sectors, which feature key straights. The Dutchman was closer to the best time in sector one, aided by the new floor fitted to his RB21.
Oscar Piastri ended the session fastest, gaining one tenth on Charles Leclerc in the opening complex of corners, and notably two tenths in the middle sector. The SF-25 continues to struggle in low-speed corners, and Ferrari will likely focus on this area to improve setup ahead of qualifying. Piastri’s main concern seems to be Lando Norris. A red flag prevented the Briton from completing his lap, but not before he gained nearly two tenths on Piastri in sector two, though he lost three and a half tenths in sector one. The gap seems too large to not suspect a driving error or tire prep issue — elements that could be addressed ahead of qualifying.
Mercedes focuses on race pace
Like Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton couldn’t complete his qualifying simulation due to the red flag. It went even worse for Mercedes, who will enter the Sprint Qualifying Q3 without having run the soft tire at all. The Brackley-based team focused on race pace instead, logging 17 consecutive laps with Russell and 15 with Antonelli. There’s no certainty on what scenario was being simulated, but comparing lap times to 2024 references — and factoring in car development, softer compounds, and cooler temps — it appears likely they were conducting heavy-fuel runs.
However, meaningful comparisons are difficult due to variations in fuel loads and engine modes — another reason not to judge Verstappen’s slower times too harshly, as he was the only one lapping over 1:32. Leclerc and Piastri, on the other hand, began their simulations with very low push-lap times, indicating low fuel loads and suggesting a program more focused on the Sprint. It’s also worth noting that clearing clouds led to a 10°C increase in track temperature during the single session, underlining how much track evolution and changing conditions will influence the Florida weekend.
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