--- title: "Verstappen Holds Off Leclerc to Win First-Ever Miami GP" date: "2022-05-08" modified: "2022-05-08" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/verstappen-holds-off-leclerc-first-ever-miami-gp" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Verstappen Holds Off Leclerc to Win First-Ever Miami GP ![]() *MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 06: Sergio Perez of Mexico driving the (11) Oracle Red Bull Racing RB18 on track during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at the Miami International Autodrome on May 06, 2022 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)* The first-ever[ Miami GP]() got off to a hot start, and not because F1 legend/Sky Sports presenter Martin Brundle mistook a man for Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes, ahead of the race. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc jumped ahead for a great start from pole position and Red Bull's Max Verstappen immediately overtook Leclerc's teammate, Carlos Sainz, with an excellent move. From there, the three drivers battled it out in the humid Miami heat. By lap 8, Leclerc came on the radio to alert his team of front right tire damage and, almost immediately after, Verstappen overtook Leclerc for the lead. After that, it was a battle by both Ferrari drivers to try and fend off team [Red Bull;]() Leclerc trying to overtake Verstappen and Sainz trying to hold off Red Bull's Sergio Perez for third place. For several laps, the first three positions didn't change but Leclerc then lost serious ground to Verstappen, due to a mistake by the pit crew taking over five seconds to swap tires. That put Leclerc well behind Verstappen and into fourth place, behind even Sergio Perez. Though, after both Sainz and Perez went into the pits, Leclerc retook second place and continued to chase Verstappen from more than seven seconds behind. ![]() *TOPSHOT - Red Bull Racing's Dutch driver Max Verstappen races during qualifying for the Miami Formula One Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida, on May 7, 2022. (Photo by Chandan Khanna / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)* Then the yellow flag came in. AlphaTauri's Pierre Gasly clipped McLaren's Lando Norris' right rear wheel, causing him to spin, jettisoning the wheel down the track. After the yellow flag was lifted, Leclerc was once again right behind Verstappen but couldn't take advantage of the opportunity, as Verstappen pulled ahead for a distant lead once again. From there, the status quo remained and the Verstappen took the win, holding off both Ferrari drivers, Leclerc and Sainz, who took second and third, respectively. Miami Dolphins legendary quarterback Dan Marino presented Verstappen with his trophy and then came the spray of Moet. Next up is the Spanish GP on May 22. ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()