FP1: Verstappen tops opening practice as Leclerc only completes two laps

F1 Grand Prix, GP Miami, Miami

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen set the pace in the only practice session at the F1 Miami Grand Prix as Charles Leclerc stopped on track following a spin.

Having spent the majority of the one-hour session by performing race simulation, three-time world champion Max Verstappen elected to complete a qualifying run on Pirelli's red-walled tyres in the final part of FP1. The Dutchman was first unable to put a lap together, but he managed to set a 1m28.595s on his final hot lap to set the benchmark of the only practice session of the weekend.

Red Bull were at the centre of headlines in the build-up to the Miami Grand Prix, following confirmation that legendary designer Adrian Newey is to leave the team early next year. The Milton Keynes-based outfit's Mexican driver Sergio Perez took sixth, three tenths of a second off Verstappen's benchmark.

McLaren completed an important session as they brought an excessive upgrade package to Miami. The team's British driver Lando Norris received the full package while his Australian team-mate Oscar Piastri only got half of the developments. While Norris took only P16 in the one-hour practice, his team-mate impressed with the second-quickest lap, showing the potential of the heavily-revised MCL38.

Ferrari endured a very difficult session. While Carlos Sainz racked up a total of 24 laps and ended the session in P3, his team-mate Charles Leclerc only completed two laps. The Monegasque bounced over the kerbs exiting Turn 16 and spun around to only avoid the barriers.

The five-time F1 race winner was eager to get himself out trouble, but he ended up facing the walls. He was unable to get his Ferrari back in the right direction, and was forced to climb out of the car. The session was red-flagged to clear the stricken Ferrari, but was restarted after a few minutes.

Mercedes have also brought a total of four upgrades to Miami, including a new floor. George Russell posted the fourth-quickest time while his team-mate Lewis Hamilton took seventh in his revised W15.

Aston Martin endured the same fortune as in China two weeks ago. Lance Stroll impressed in the sole practice session, finishing in P5. By contrast, his team-mate Fernando Alonso took 19th after only running hards.

Alpine was the surprise team of the session. Following their troublesome start to the season, the team equipped both cars with their new floor after only Esteban Ocon received it in the previous round in China. The pair finished in P9 and P10 respectively, showing encouraging speed both on the hards and the softs.