Piastri dominates Miami Grand Prix to extend lead

Oscar Piastri crossed the checkered flag in south Florida yesterday 4.6 seconds ahead of McLaren teammate Lando Norris.

- OLIVIA HICKS

Mercedes driver and third-place finisher George Russell was 37.6 second behind in a race where the virtual safety car played a significant role in the 2025 Miami Grand Prix.

Piastri, who qualified in fourth on Saturday, gained an advantage when a first-corner tussle between pole-sitter Max Verstappen and Norris had the latter falling down the leaderboard into sixth place. The McLaren driver, who secured his maiden win in Miami last year, unsuccessfully attempted to appeal to the stewards, claiming the four-time world champion pushed him off as Verstappen swept across the start.

"If I don't go for it, people complain. If I go for it, people complain," Norris said post-race.

However, the 25-year-old British driver clawed his way towards the top on pure pace. Norris closely follows his teammate and current leader, Piastri, in the World Drivers' Championship standings.

The threat of a rain-soaked race loomed throughout all 57 laps, but the race remained a dry, one-stop feature with a handful of virtual safety car stoppages as a slew of rookies came rolling to a halt.