McLaren driver Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz in the red and blue painted Ferrari followed in second and third place.
However, in a humid 29 degrees, the teams tried out a lot for the sprint race on Saturday (6 p.m.) and the sixth World Championship race on Sunday (10 p.m./live on ORF 1 and JOY) so that the times only conditionally meaningful were.
“Drive like you’re walking on eggshells”
“The tires are way too hot, I have no grip. I’m driving like on eggshells“, Verstappen radioed to the pits in between. At the beginning, the practice session was interrupted for a few minutes because Charles Leclerc his defective Ferrari had to park on the route.
Verstappen has won the two previous Formula 1 races in Miami. This year, the Dutchman has already collected four victories in five Grand Prix and is clearly leading the overall standings.