Miami Grand Prix 2022 - Race Schedule and Countdown

Max Verstappen won the inaugural Miami Grand Prix in commanding fashion, taking the lead from pole-sitter Charles Leclerc and never looking back to claim his third victory of the season. The Red Bull driver controlled the race around the brand-new Miami International Autodrome, built around the Hard Rock Stadium, as Formula 1 brought its glitz and glamour to South Florida for the first time. Leclerc finished second after starting from pole position, with Carlos Sainz completing an all-Ferrari podium in third place.

The race's outcome was decided in the opening stint when Verstappen used his superior straight-line speed to overtake Leclerc on lap 9, sweeping around the outside of the Ferrari into Turn 1. Once ahead, the Dutchman controlled the pace and managed the gap to Leclerc throughout the remainder of the 57-lap race. Multiple Safety Car periods, including one triggered by Lando Norris's collision with Pierre Gasly, kept the field bunched up, but Verstappen nailed each restart to maintain his advantage. His fastest lap secured maximum points from a dominant weekend.

The victory extended Verstappen's championship lead to 19 points over Leclerc, marking Red Bull's third consecutive win after resolving their early-season reliability woes. Ferrari's pace remained strong, but they were unable to match Red Bull's race execution and straight-line performance. The Miami Grand Prix's successful debut featured a star-studded attendance including celebrities and athletes, though the race itself settled into a relatively processional affair once Verstappen took the lead. The result confirmed that the championship battle was far from over, with Red Bull now hitting their stride.