That's something to watch out for at the Miami Grand Prix

Created: 05/08/2022, 06:01

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc secured pole position in Miami.

© Hasan Bratic/dpa

The premiere of the Formula 1 race in Miami promises a shrill horsepower party.

World champion Max Verstappen chases the Ferrari duo on the track.

Miami - Formula 1 celebrates a glittering debut in Miami.

For the first time, the racing series is driving a Grand Prix in Florida's metropolis today (9:30 p.m. / Sky).

One of the hottest races of the year awaits the drivers at the Miami International Autodrome around the Hard Rock Stadium.

With 85,000 spectators, Sunday will be sold out like the previous two days.

A colorful and wild party with plenty of celebrities is raging around the slopes.

Ferrari duo on row one

Charles Leclerc took the first pole position in Miami history.

The world championship leader from Monaco has his Ferrari colleague Carlos Sainz next to him in the front row.

"We have a strong package that works in pretty much all conditions," said Leclerc.

World champion Max Verstappen lurks in third behind for his chance.

"My weekend has been pretty messy so far," said the Dutchman after defects and driving errors in practice.

Leclerc and Verstappen each won two of the first four races of the season.

Home game for Mick Schumacher's team

Mick Schumacher's American Haas team is particularly enthusiastic in Florida.

"It's unbelievable how the fans are reacting.

It feels more like an American racing team here than it ever did in Austin,” said team boss Günther Steiner.

In terms of sport, however, Haas has to improve enormously in order to take something countable with him.

Schumacher, who is still waiting for his first World Championship point, did not get past 15th place in qualifying.

His Danish teammate Kevin Magnussen finished 16th.

Lewis Hamilton without glasses

In a dispute with the rulers about his numerous jewels, Lewis Hamilton drew the short straw.

The Mercedes superstar had to reluctantly bow to the jewelry ban, which the new German race director Niels Wittich now wants to enforce.

"Very, very stupid" Hamilton called the tightened requirements.

For the race in Miami, however, he took off his earrings.

The 37-year-old received an exceptional permit for his nose piercing, which he can still wear until the guest appearance in Monaco at the end of May.

Sebastian Vettel's special message

In terms of sport, the four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel continues to do just mediocre.

The message on his helmet, with which he starts in Florida, has a stronger effect than 13th place in the qualification.

It reads "Miami 2060 - 1st Underwater Grand Prix".

The 34-year-old said he doesn't understand that the issue of rising sea levels is hardly ever present in the city on the Atlantic, which is threatened by it.

"Act now or swim later" warns Vettel on his head protection to much more commitment to climate change.

dpa