On Sunday, Max Verstappen defeated championship leader Charles Leclerc to win the first Miami Grand Prix.
The triumph cut Leclerc’s championship lead over Verstappen to 19 points, with Monegasque Ferrari colleague Carlos Sainz rounding off the podium.
Verstappen got off to a quick start at Hard Rock Stadium, where he passed Sainz at turn one in the first of two races in the United States this season.
He then began to narrow the distance on Leclerc, passing him on lap nine and maintaining the lead for the duration of the race.
“It’s a very good comeback,” said Verstappen.
“I didn’t even do a [practice] start, so I didn’t know what to expect in the actual start. But we had a good launch and I saw the opportunity to go around the outside [of Sainz] in turn one, so I tried. Luckily, it worked.”
The paddock for Miami’s inaugural Formula One race was packed with celebrities, including Tom Brady, David Beckham, and Michael Jordan, who all posed for a photo beside seven-time F1 winner Lewis Hamilton.
Will.i.am, Pharrell Williams, and DJ Khaled were among those in attendance, as were Serena and Venus Williams.
Following the popularity of the Netflix series “Drive to Survive,” F1 has continued to expand in the United States.
From next season, a third American race, in Las Vegas, will join Miami and Austin on the calendar.