World champion Max Verstappen got going late at the start of the Formula 1 weekend in Miami. The Red Bull driver made a few unusual mistakes in the only training session before the Grand Prix in Florida before he managed to set the fastest time shortly before the end.

McLaren driver Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari followed in second and third place. Nico Hülkenberg drove his Haas racing car to 13th 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./Sky), so the times were only of limited use. “The tires are way too hot, I have no grip. I’m driving on eggshells,” Verstappen radioed to the pits in between. At the beginning the practice session was interrupted for a few minutes because Charles Leclerc had to park his broken Ferrari on the track.

Verstappen has won the two previous Formula 1 races in Miami. This year, the 26-year-old has already collected four victories in five Grand Prix and is clearly leading the overall standings.