Formula 1: Norris remains cool in Miami -Chaos – punishment for Verstappen

Lando Norris has remained cool in Miami’s chaos sprint and has reduced his World Cup deficit a little on McLaren teammate Oscar Piatri. The Englishman benefited from a late Safety car phase and defended the top position to the end before the Australian. Third place in the spectacular mini event in Formula 1 over 100 kilometers of Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari raced.

After an uncompromising start -up doubt with Piatri, teenager Kimi Antonelli lost his pole position after a few meters and, after an incident with world champion Max Verstappen, was only tenth in the garage. The Dutch Red Bull star collected a ten-second penalty because he had started in the box too early. It was passed in 17th place. For Nico Hülkenberg it was only enough to position 12 in the kick.

“My luck in Miami seems to be pretty good at the moment, so I’m satisfied,” said Norris, who had celebrated his first career victory in Florida last year. In the World Cup ranking, it is now nine points behind Piatri. “I have the feeling that I did pretty much everything right. That’s why I’m a little disappointed that I only got second,” summed up Piatri.

Antonelli had secured the pole position with a hammer round. At just 18 years and 250 days. And only 66 days after he passed the driver’s license test in his home country.

Instead of sunshine, drivers and fans were given gray and rain. For Charles Leclerc, the sprint ended long before the red traffic lights went. On the way to the starting line-up, the Ferrari driver complained about aquaplaning and crashed into the guardrail. The damage on the right flank of his car was irreparable, the lowest qualification Leclerc was sentenced to watch. “Oh no, I’m sorry,” the Monegasse sparked.

“Sprint of survival”

After two rounds of forms behind Safety car drivers Bernd Mayländer, the race management broke off the starting process again. “I can’t see anything behind the Safety Car,” said Antonelli. “I have never had so little view in a racing car,” said Piatri, who spoke of a “sprint of survival” in view of the puddles on the course.

The route gradually dried off. After two rounds behind the Safety Car, 35 minutes late and a standing start. Antonelli only came away slowly. After the 170 meters to the first curve, he was rid of the lead. Piatri left no place to the youngster and took the lead in front of Norris and Verstappen.

Norris benefits from Safety Car

The race management took a closer look at the starting doubt Antonelli against Piatri, but did not recognize the Australian’s offense. It was curious in round 13. Verstappen, in third place, was sent out too early after his pit stop. Antonelli drove the Red Bull over the front wing and demolished it. “Kimi, mini racing, is not relevant,” Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff appeased.

Piatri lost the lead to Norris after changing tires. The Englishman was lucky that an accident from Aston-Martin-Pilot Fernando Alonso caused a safety car during his stop. The field was slowed down. And so Norris just drove back to the course in front of Piatri. The insane sprint also ended behind the safety car.