Lando Norris won the sprint. © APA / MARK THOMPSON

Crazy sprint: Norris wins, Verstappen penalized

In the chaotic sprint in Miami, Lando Norris stayed cool and reduced his World Championship deficit to McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri a little.

03 Maj 2025

From: dpa

The Englishman benefited from a late safety car intervention and defended the lead ahead of the Australian until the end. Lewis Hamilton in his Ferrari raced to third place in the spectacular 1-kilometer Formula 100 mini-event.

Teenager Kimi Antonelli lost his pole position after a tough start with Piastri after just a few meters and finished only eleventh after an incident with world champion Max Verstappen in the garage. The Dutch Red Bull star received a ten-second penalty for leaving the pits too early. He was relegated to 17th place. Antonelli had secured pole position with a brilliant lap. At just 18 years and 250 days old, and just 66 days after passing his driving test in his home country.

Rain and accidents

Instead of sunshine, drivers and fans were treated to gray and rain. For Charles Leclerc, the sprint ended long before the red lights went out. On the way to the starting grid, the Ferrari driver complained of aquaplaning and crashed into the barrier. The damage to the right flank of his car was irreparable, leaving Leclerc, who qualified sixth, to watch from the sidelines. "Oh no, I'm sorry," radioed the Monegasque.

Charles Leclerc crashed his Ferrari. © APA / CLIVE ROSE

After two formation laps behind safety car driver Bernd Mayländer, race control aborted the start procedure. "I can't see anything behind the safety car," complained Antonelli. "I've never had so little visibility in a racing car," complained Piastri, who, given the puddles on the track, called it a "sprint for survival."

The track gradually dried out. After another two laps behind the safety car, a 35-minute delay, and a standing start, the race got underway. Antonelli got off to a sluggish start. After the 170 meters to the first corner, he had lost the lead. Piastri left no room for the youngster and moved into the lead ahead of Norris and Verstappen.

Norris benefits from the safety car

Race control scrutinized the initial duel between Antonelli and Piastri, but found no wrongdoing by the Australian. Things took a curious turn on lap 13. Verstappen, running in third place, was sent out too early after his pit stop. Antonelli drove over the Red Bull's front wing, demolishing it. "Kimi, mini-race, is irrelevant," Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff reassured.

The sprint offered spectacular images. © APA / MARK THOMPSON

After his tire change, Piastri lost the lead to Norris. The Englishman was fortunate that an accident involving Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso during his stop prompted a safety car deployment. The field was slowed down. Norris rejoined the track just ahead of Piastri. The crazy sprint also ended behind the safety car.