Formula 1: Oscar Piastri wins in Miami

Oscar Piastri has won his third consecutive Formula 1 race in Miami . After a tough battle with world champion Max Verstappen, the Australian in his McLaren took the lead in Florida and extended his lead in the drivers' championship with his sixth career win. Team rival Lando Norris secured second place a day after his sprint win. In the World Championship standings, last year's winner in Miami is now 16 points behind Piastri. Verstappen missed the podium just days after the birth of his daughter Lily. Verstappen finished fourth in his Red Bull behind Mercedes driver George Russell, still more than half a minute behind the leader. German KTM driver Nico Hülkenberg, who drove for Ferrari for Sauber, finished 14th and failed to score points for the fifth time in a row.

Threatening storms forced the regulations authorities to issue a report more than two hours before the race start, in case the track had to be evacuated due to lightning strikes. The weather forecast ultimately proved unfounded. In Saturday's chaotic sprint on a rain-soaked track, Fernando Alonso in his Aston Martin and Williams driver Carlos Sainz had crashes. Norris kept his cool and secured the eight points for the win.

Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari was a spectacular coup – but even before the sixth race of the Formula 1 season, disillusionment is already evident. The search for solutions seems endless.

In qualifying for the Grand Prix, however, Verstappen was unbeatable. He narrowly relegated Norris to second place. "Being a father definitely doesn't slow me down. Anyone who says that can forget it," emphasized Verstappen, who had only finished 17th in the sprint due to a time penalty. The four-time champion masterfully mastered the 170 meters to the first corner in the race, but then braked too late. Norris thought he had a chance to overtake but left the track in the process. The race stewards saw no reason to investigate the incident further.

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli, who had secured pole for the sprint at just 18 years and 250 days old, seized this opportunity and began chasing Verstappen. Piastri overtook the Italian teenager and tried to displace the Red Bull from the lead as well. But Verstappen fought back – and with a bang! "He has to earn this," radioed the Red Bull pit to their chief driver. Piastri had to wear out his tires and even made a braking error. This played into Verstappen's hands, but on lap 14, Piastri moved into the lead.

The world champion now had Norris in his rearview mirror. And the Englishman, who celebrated his maiden Formula 1 victory in Florida last year, also had to struggle. By lap 19, however, Norris had also overtaken Verstappen. Piastri was able to drive his private race at the front and extended his lead. This despite the Australian complaining after qualifying that he couldn't find his rhythm. Verstappen had the hard tires fitted on the 27th of 57 laps. He was forced to go on the offensive. Two laps later, during a Virtual Safety Car, McLaren easily dispatched first Piastri and then Norris in a double stop. They, too, were given the hard compounds.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton was ranting at his Ferrari colleague Charles Leclerc for wanting to be let past him in the front of the midfield. "Man, guys! That's not good teamwork. I'll say no more!" the Englishman fumed, before finally being allowed to overtake the Monegasque driver, only to have to swap places back shortly before the finish. At the front, Piastri raced toward his next victory with little stress.