Oscar Piastri delivered a commanding performance during the sole Free Practice 1 session of the 2024 Miami Grand Prix weekend, topping the timesheets with a best lap of 1:27.631 in rapidly evolving track conditions. The McLaren driver demonstrated exceptional pace and control in a session that saw limited running and varying strategies across the grid.
The Australian driver was quick to adapt to the low-grip Miami International Autodrome, laying down a marker early in the session before tightening his grip on the top spot with a late flyer on soft tyres. Piastri’s benchmark time was enough to outpace Charles Leclerc by 0.109s, while reigning world champion Max Verstappen slotted into third place, 0.116s off the pace.
Leclerc and Verstappen Close Behind as Ferrari and Red Bull Show Early Intent
Charles Leclerc, driving for Ferrari, put in a solid stint to split the McLarens and Red Bulls, finishing second in the session. His SF-24 appeared stable and well-balanced in the high-speed sections of the Miami layout, despite some traffic-related issues during his fast laps.
Max Verstappen, meanwhile, faced minor handling issues early in the session, reporting understeer and a lack of front-end bite in Sector 2. Despite these complaints, he still managed to clock a top-three time, highlighting the underlying pace of the RB20. Red Bull, however, appeared to be focusing more on long-run setups during FP1, suggesting further performance may be unlocked in qualifying trim.
Sergio Perez and Lando Norris Complete the Top Five
Sergio Perez backed up Verstappen with a fourth-fastest time of 1:27.850, with Lando Norris closely behind in fifth. Norris’s effort was encouraging for McLaren as they look to challenge Red Bull and Ferrari in the midfield dogfight, especially on a circuit where straight-line efficiency and grip over the kerbs are crucial.
Both drivers completed a similar number of laps (19 for Perez and 20 for Norris), focusing on extracting data for tyre wear and track evolution. The gap between the top five was a mere two-tenths of a second, suggesting a tightly contested battle heading into qualifying.
Mercedes Struggle with Balance and Grip
It was a subdued session for Mercedes, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finishing in P10 and P12 respectively. Both drivers struggled with grip in the tight technical sectors, with Russell locking up multiple times into Turn 17. Hamilton’s radio messages revealed concerns about the car’s unpredictability on throttle exits and excessive bottoming through Turns 7 and 8.
The Silver Arrows opted to trial multiple rear wing and floor configurations during the session, hinting at ongoing setup experimentation to better adapt the W15 to Miami’s unique street circuit demands.
Alpine’s Revival Hopes Falter
Esteban Ocon and Pierre Gasly endured another difficult session, with both Alpines mired in the lower half of the timing charts. Ocon placed P18, while Gasly could do no better than P20. The team introduced a new floor and updated front wing in Miami, but early signs suggest the upgrades have yet to yield any significant improvement in pace or stability.
Gasly reported “very low grip and inconsistent rear” over the radio, and both drivers completed relatively low mileage as the team focused on aero correlation runs.
Aston Martin and Haas in the Midfield Mix
Fernando Alonso ended FP1 in P7, showing promise for Aston Martin’s chances of scoring valuable points this weekend. Lance Stroll backed up the team’s form with a P9 finish, despite a late-session slide into the run-off at Turn 11.
Kevin Magnussen and Nico Hülkenberg ran contrasting tyre programs for Haas, with Magnussen on mediums and Hülkenberg on softs. The latter managed P13, while Magnussen clocked P16, both indicating that Haas may once again be competitive in the Q2-Q3 threshold zone.
Miami FP1 Session Classification
| Position | Driver | Team | Best Time | Gap | Laps |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | 1:27.631 | — | 21 |
| 2 | Charles Leclerc | Ferrari | 1:27.740 | +0.109s | 22 |
| 3 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull Racing | 1:27.747 | +0.116s | 20 |
| 4 | Sergio Perez | Red Bull Racing | 1:27.850 | +0.219s | 19 |
| 5 | Lando Norris | McLaren | 1:27.926 | +0.295s | 20 |
| 6 | Carlos Sainz | Ferrari | 1:28.121 | +0.490s | 19 |
| 7 | Fernando Alonso | Aston Martin | 1:28.209 | +0.578s | 21 |
| 8 | Yuki Tsunoda | RB F1 | 1:28.289 | +0.658s | 23 |
| 9 | Lance Stroll | Aston Martin | 1:28.312 | +0.681s | 21 |
| 10 | George Russell | Mercedes | 1:28.388 | +0.757s | 19 |
Track Evolution and Tyre Strategies
The Miami International Autodrome presented a green surface early in the session, leading to extensive rubbering-in during the final 15 minutes. Most teams began their runs on medium compounds before switching to softs to simulate qualifying conditions. Tyre degradation appeared moderate, but the increased ambient temperature forecasted for the race may tilt strategies towards a two-stopper.
What to Expect for Qualifying
With the field tightly packed and track evolution playing a major role, qualifying is shaping up to be fiercely competitive. McLaren’s strong one-lap pace could see them in contention for a front-row lockout if they maintain this form. Red Bull is expected to dial in more performance with overnight setup changes, and Ferrari will be eyeing pole with Leclerc’s consistency in Sectors 1 and 3.
Mercedes needs to make significant overnight gains, especially in mid-corner grip and rear stability. Meanwhile, Aston Martin could emerge as dark horses if they can optimize their tyre warm-up phase for the evening qualifying session.
Conclusion
Oscar Piastri’s standout performance in FP1 has thrown down the gauntlet ahead of the Miami Grand Prix’s competitive sessions. With Leclerc and Verstappen breathing down his neck, and multiple teams showing flashes of speed, the stage is set for a thrilling weekend under the Florida sun. Expect a closely contested qualifying session, where tenths—and even hundredths—will define the grid.
