Max Verstappen got very little action during the first free practice session for the Miami Grand Prix. Rival Charles Leclerc, on the other hand, picked up the fastest time of the session.
The Dutchman drove only fourteen laps after problems with his RB18. The high temperatures in Miami caused his car to overheat and he was in the pit lane a lot for maintenance. Verstappen recorded the third time of the session, teammate Sergio Perez finished behind him on P4.
Problems for Sainz
George Russell did good business for Mercedes with a P2, while Lewis Hamilton had to make do with an eighth place. Carlos Sainz suffered a puncture in the closing stages due to a spin, so the Spaniard eventually finished sixth.