In this demanding race, the starting grid was determined by the sprint qualifying results. Consequently, Antonelli, starting from pole position, is bound to encounter significant pressure from two McLaren drivers and Verstappen in this brief but intense contest. At the same time, Tsunoda opted to start from the pit lane after adjusting his car’s setup, which presents him with a more unpredictable scenario.
On Miami’s circuit where temperatures soared to 26°C (79°F) with track temperatures nearing 30°C (86°F), many drivers experienced sudden rainfall for the first time during such conditions. This unexpected weather forced them into high alert as they cautiously chose full wet tires or drove at reduced speeds to handle emergencies. To ensure safety during these conditions, officials deployed a safety car for warm-up laps; however things didn’t go as planned. Apart from Leclerc’s unfortunate crash at turn 11 leading him out of contention many drivers reported poor visibility under safety car conditions delaying an actual start after two cumbersome laps.
After an agonizing twenty-minute wait coupled with two extra warm-up laps real racing finally commenced on lap three when lights went out signaling go! Despite Antonelli’s valiant efforts against Piastri he soon lost ground being overtaken by Norris followed closely by Verstappen amidst fierce competition on slippery tracks where Piastri managed nearly two-second lead by end of third lap.
As the seventh lap commenced, the persistent rain began to visibly subside, transforming the circuit’s complexion. The heavy spray trailing the cars diminished, and a narrow but increasingly prominent dry line started to form along the optimal racing path. This changing environment quickly influenced strategic thinking across the pit lane. By the eleventh lap, with large sections of the track now sufficiently dry, race control authorized the activation of the Drag Reduction System (DRS). This decision immediately heightened the competitive intensity, providing drivers with crucial tools to challenge for positions and significantly increasing the overall pace.
Responding to the evolving conditions, the initial bold move onto slick tires was made by Yuki Tsunoda, a strategic gamble demanding precision and confidence on the still-treacherous surface. Lewis Hamilton soon followed this lead, prompting a rapid succession of pit stops as numerous other competitors also elected to switch to the faster dry-weather rubber. This intense period of activity in the pit lane was not without incident; one competitor received a ten-second penalty following a release from their pit box that was judged to be unsafe, adding an unexpected complication to their race and potentially compromising their track position.
The unpredictable nature of the event continued with further disruptions on track. Carlos Sainz suffered a sudden and dramatic tire blowout, an incident that prematurely ended his race and immediately triggered safety protocols. Shortly after, an unfortunate collision occurred at turn eleven, involving Fernando Alonso and Liam Lawson, bringing both cars into contact. These separate incidents necessitated the deployment of the safety car, effectively neutralizing the race and bunching the entire field together. This period under caution erased all built-up gaps between cars, creating a tightly packed grid poised for a final dash to the finish and dramatically clarifying the potential outcomes.
Following a cumulative delay period lasting approximately thirty minutes, the race resumed its thrilling conclusion. Lando Norris expertly managed the challenging post-safety car restart and subsequent laps to secure a hard-fought victory, claiming the top spot on the podium. He was joined by Oscar Piastri in second place and Lewis Hamilton, who completed the top three finishers. Despite crossing the line in fourth position, Max Verstappen’s earlier pit lane penalty resulted in him being classified lower in the final standings, regrettably ending a notable run of consecutive points finishes in sprint events. The remaining drivers who successfully navigated the ever-changing conditions to score valuable championship points, showcasing impressive resilience and competitive spirit throughout the demanding contest, were Alex Albon, George Russell, Lance Stroll, Liam Lawson, and Oliver Bearman.