Drivers discovered the Miami circuit on Friday, a newcomer to the calendar. And Ferrari did the best of the best time recorded by Monegasque Charles Leclerc.
In the first free training session, the temperature exceeded 55 degrees Celsius on the asphalt. The teams quickly understood that the tires would be put to the test this weekend.
The ambient temperature is over 35 degrees with 50% humidity.
On a very green, dusty track, single-seaters take away the perfect trajectory in this winding and sometimes very (too) narrow circuit. Especially on turn 16 after the chicane (14 and 15). Also at the exit of turn 16 Max Verstappen stroked the protective wall with the right wheel in front of his Red Bull RB18.
Charles Leclerc set the fastest lap in the first free practice session in his Ferrari SF75, in 1 minute 31 s 098/1000. But he had to wear a set of soft tires to beat the time of Briton George Russell (+0.071).
The Mercedes-Benz driver discovered new aerodynamics in his W13, especially the front and rear wings.
His teammate Lewis Hamilton is the 8th fastest (+0.858).
At the end of the 60 -minute training session, Russell was able to beat reigning world champion Max Verstappen with his Red Bull (+0.179). Something that will strengthen Mercedes-Benz.
Flat performance by Canadian drivers: Quebecer Lance Stroll is 16th with his Aston Martin AMR02 (+2.478), Torontonian Nicholas Latifi 20th with his Williams FW44 (+4.536).
Leclerc also did well in the second session, recording for the second time. George Russell was the fastest this time around.
For many pilots, this first day was used to tame the track and to … avoid low walls.
Source: Radio-Canada
