The Countdown to Miami Begins. Five races will take place before the F1 circus comes to Miami with the race being held on May 5..

The new F1 season promises to be another exciting one for fans. It’s already seen some big news stories even before the cars take to the track. 2024 promises to be another year in which the F1 circus becomes even more popular in the US.

That includes the Las Vegas Grand Prix which was such a big hit last year, though not with all those taking part.

There will again be three Grand Prix races taking place in the US beginning with the Miami Grand Prix in May.

It’s already been a big year for Ferrari with the announcement that Lewis Hamilton will be driving for them in 2025.

Odds will be available for every race in the 2024 F1 season. Not surprisingly, according to NJ.bet, New Jersey sports betting guide,  Max Verstappen is the favorite to again be crowned world champion with Red Bull expected to finish top in the Constructors’ Championship.

Ferrari are second favorites to win the team title but of course face a tough battle to dethrone Red Bull but will give it their all.

There are plenty of other markets available that will be of great interest to Ferrari supporters. One market is for the top points scorer but without Max Verstappen being included in the list. The  other Red Bull driver Sergio Perez is the favorite but close behind is Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc with his teammate Carlos Sainz fifth favorite.

There isn’t too long a wait for the first of the three US based Grand Prix races to take place. Five races will take place before the F1 circus comes to Miami with the race being held on May 5.

All eyes will be on the Miami International Autodrome for the sixth race of the season. The Miami Grand Prix was first staged in 2022. A ten-year contract has been signed so we’ll be seeing the race held in Miami for a fair while yet.

Both of the races held so far in Miami have been won by Max Verstappen. He’ll be hoping for another win this year but Ferrari will be doing their utmost best to win in Miami for the first time.

When the first Miami Grand Prix was held two years ago, it was Charles Leclerc who sat proudly at the top of the Drivers’ Championship. There had been four races to date in that season and the French driver was 27 points clear of second placed Verstappen.Ferrari were also leading the Constructors’ Championship too.

Qualifying went well with Leclerc in pole position with Sainz in second ahead of the two Red Bulls. What Ferrari wouldn’t give to be in such a position in Miami in May. In the actual race, Leclerc finished second behind Verstappen (with Sainz in third) but it might have been a different story if his car hadn’t struggled with its medium compound tyres.

It was more difficult for Ferrari in the 2023 Miami Grand Prix. Sainz was third fastest in qualifying with Leclerc down in seventh. The race produced a 1-2 for Red Bull with Sainz finishing fifth and Lecelec seventh.

Sainz will certainly hope for better luck this year after being given a five-second penalty in 2023 for speeding in the pit lane. His Ferrari locked up on two vital occasions so he’ll want to avoid a repetition of that in May.

Just what will happen in Miami this year? Ferrari have it all to do to get past Red Bull. There are 24 races this year (three in the US) but we need a closer race for the titles. As Carlos Sainz has said: “I hope it is closer at the front. Otherwise, I fear a 24-race calendar could be a bit too much.”

It’s important that this new season sees Ferrari battling for podium spots and not just counting down the days until Lewis Hamilton joins them from Mercedes for the 2025 season