Verstappen expecting 'pretty crazy' weekend in Miami

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Max Verstappen believes that Formula 1's special atmosphere coupled with Miami's local color and vibe will make for a "pretty crazy" weekend in southern Florida.

Miami will offer its vibrant sunny glitz for the fifth round of the F1 World Championship, and expectations are high that it will be a milestone event for competitors and fans alike.

Verstappen heads to Florida on the back of a dominant win at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, with teammate Sergio Perez ensuring a near perfect 1-2 for Red Bull.

Thanks to his 22nd career win in F1, the Dutchman reduced his deficit to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in the Drivers' standings to 27 points.

Both Ferrari and Red Bull are sure to bring an assortment of refinements to their cars this weekend, if not upgrades, so all signs point to another fierce battle between Leclerc and Verstappen, with the odd outsider potentially disrupting the pecking order at a venue where everyone will start from scratch.

"I think this weekend is going to be pretty crazy!" said Verstappen in Red Bull's Miami preview.

"I’m looking forward to racing in Miami, I’ve driven the track on the simulator and we’ve practiced and prepared as much as we can without visiting the track in real life."

The reigning world champion is a big fan of racing at The Circuit of the Americas in Austin, so a second US race on F1's agenda – before a third is added next year at Las Vegas – is another opportunity to savour the American way of life.

"I love racing in Austin so it’s fun that we get to go to another state and race this year," added Verstappen.

"It’s exciting to see Formula One getting much bigger in the US. F1 and the teams are working hard to promote the sport in the US and we’re having more and more races here, so step by step we are making it more popular.

"I also think it helps now the cars are finding it easier to follow and overtake each other and more teams are competing for wins, I think that’s the most important thing for the fans."

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Sergio Perez echoed his teammate's enthusiasm for Miami, a city that naturally appeals to the Mexican given its Hispanic heritage.

"I am excited to be heading to Miami this week, it is great that the calendar is expanding more in America, which is a lot closer to home for me and one day I might end up living there!" said Perez.

"It is a great market for Formula 1 and I am sure there will be a lot of Latin Americans and Mexicans at the race, so hopefully I get a lot of support and it will be a very important race for the team both on and off the track."

Having also sampled the Miami International Autodrome in Red Bull's simulator, Perez believes the track's 5.412km layout has all the attributes to generate some good racing.

These busier races are hard to manage but the Team do an incredible job at making sure Max and I can focus on our driving.

"It can potentially be a good place for racing with those very long straights, I think choosing the right downforce level will be the biggest challenge for all the teams," commented Perez.

"I am now fighting for poles and podiums every week, which is great motivation to keep pushing and keep focus.

"I just want more week after week, and I am looking forward to seeing what we can do in Miami."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.