Mika Hakkinen: Miami Grand Prix Preview

WITH the build up to November’s Las Vegas Grand Prix getting so much attention, it is easy to forget that this is only the second Miami Grand Prix.  Last year’s event was incredible because we really got to see how much interest and enthusiasm there is for Formula 1 in the United States at the moment.  I have also never seen so many celebrities at a race!

The circuit is unique. Built around the Hard Rock Stadium it is very quick, physically demanding and a good technical challenge for the teams and drivers. The temperatures are expected to be higher this year, and the humidity means that this track is right up there with Singapore.  It’s incredibly tough on the drivers.

The circuit has long, fast corners, and a very long, 1.3kms straight. But it also has slow, tight sections, between Turn 11 and 16, and is very narrow in places. So you need a car which is super quick in a straight line but with strong mechanical grip to also give you performance in the more technical parts of the track.

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The track has been resurfaced for this year. The new surface is designed to offer more grip, especially under braking so, when combined with the high temperatures, this will make it hard on tyres.  Anyone who has a reputation for being good with tyre management – Checo Perez being one example – could have a real advantage on Sunday.

Last year we saw a Virtual Safety Car and then a full Safety Car, so I expect we will see the same or more this year.  The narrow sections of the track make it easy to touch the wall and, as we have seen many times before, a Safety Car period can really make a big difference to the results.

We saw a great return to form for Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc last weekend in Baku. He took a fantastic pole position and, although he could not hold the Red Bulls behind him, a podium finish will have given him a positive feeling at last.

Ferrari were super quick in Miami last year, locking out the front row with Charles on pole and Carlos Sainz beside him.  I think we could see a Ferrari on pole again this year but, as we saw in Baku, I really don’t think they will have an answer to Red Bull in the race.

Fernando Alonso should really be looking forward to Miami. After finishing third in the first three races of the season he was a little disappointed to finish fourth in Baku last weekend. He produced a fantastic overtaking manoeuvre on Carlos Sainz and, after the race, said he was very happy with the car’s race pace.  Fernando likes how his car uses its tyres, he sees that as a strong point, so we have to expect him to be fighting for the podium again in Miami.

Mercedes had a difficult weekend in Baku. They suffered from the new Sprint Race weekend format as they went the wrong way on set up during the single practice session on Friday, so their weekend did not start well. In Miami we have a normal weekend schedule with two full practice sessions on Friday and another on Saturday morning before qualifying.

More practice time means a better opportunity for Mercedes to get their W14 cars set up and working better, but realistically Lewis Hamilton and George Russell will be fighting for a top six place in qualifying, top four in the race.