Sky Sports Channel Logo

F1 News

News

  • News
  • Video
  • Live
  • Opinion
  • Gossip
  • Drivers & Teams
  • Schedule & Results
  • Standings
  • Stats Zone
  • Get Sky F1

Max Verstappen: Red Bull 'could have done a lot more' to avoid struggles on day one in Miami

Max Verstappen's Red Bull was hit with hydraulic problems and a rear brake fire after a precautionary gearbox change in Miami, leaving world champion playing catch-up on Saturday; Watch whole Miami GP weekend live only on Sky Sports F1

Last Updated: 07/05/22 12:59am

Max Verstappen was forced to return to the pits during P2 after his rear brake overheated.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Max Verstappen was forced to return to the pits during P2 after his rear brake overheated.
Max Verstappen was forced to return to the pits during P2 after his rear brake overheated.

Max Verstappen was left to rue an "extremely painful" start to his Miami Grand Prix weekend as reliability issues continued to hamper the defence of his Formula 1 world title.

The Red Bull driver, who has failed to finish in two of the four races so far this season, brushed the wall during Friday's first practice session prompting a "precautionary" change to the gearbox of his Red Bull which delayed him in taking to the track for the first 30 minutes of Practice Two.

When he eventually got out onto the new Miami circuit in the afternoon, he reported steering problems and suffered a hydraulic issue which saw him immediately return to the pits with overheating rear brakes.

  • P2: Russell on top as rivals hit issues
  • P1: Leclerc fastest as Mercedes find form
  • Miami Grand Prix on Friday - as it happened
Verstappen cut a frustrated figure after failing to set a time in both practice sessions at the Miami GP

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Verstappen cut a frustrated figure after failing to set a time in both practice sessions at the Miami GP
Verstappen cut a frustrated figure after failing to set a time in both practice sessions at the Miami GP

Three red flags across the two sessions minimised opportunities for all drivers to get familiar with F1's newest circuit, but as George Russell topped the timesheet for Mercedes ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, Verstappen feels Red Bull will suffer for their continued reliability failures.

"Just not a good day," reflected the world champion.

"Of course, these days are extremely painful, especially on a track like this where you want to be out there and learn the track and get up to speed. I basically did four, five fast laps today... that's not what you want.

Verstappen kicked off P1 with a slight touch of the wall coming out of the chicane

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Verstappen kicked off P1 with a slight touch of the wall coming out of the chicane
Verstappen kicked off P1 with a slight touch of the wall coming out of the chicane

"They were hydraulics issues. As soon as I went out of the pits, I couldn't really steer, like I was locked, and also the brakes were on fire... so a lot of problems.

"Of course, I'll try to catch up but it's just not ideal, everyone is more into their running. Not only that, we have no information on the car and what we have to do, so yeah it's extremely painful.

"We just have to look at ourselves. I don't care what happens on the track with red flags... we could have done a lot more today."

Frustrated Horner: Max will bounce back

Despite limited running, Verstappen set the third fastest time during P1 and Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner backed Verstappen to recover on Saturday.

"We changed the gearbox and one of the coolers and he drives out and has a hydraulic issue which has unfortunately caused some damage to the brakes," says Horner.

"He got a few laps in, I think he has had five timed laps today which were all competitive.

"Thankfully due to the red flags he's not lost too much but it is frustrating not to have that track time.

"He will probably do a few more laps than normal in P3 to get used to the circuit.

"With a street circuit you just have to find your way into it but we know how good Max is at adapting to new circuits so I am sure he will catch that time up."

Karun Chandhok analyses the action from the Miami GP Practice Two

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Karun Chandhok analyses the action from the Miami GP Practice Two
Karun Chandhok analyses the action from the Miami GP Practice Two

The full weekend schedule on Sky Sports F1

Saturday, May 7
2pm: W Series Qualifying
5.45pm: Miami GP Practice Three (session starts 6pm)
7.10pm: W Series Race One**
8.15pm: Miami GP Qualifying Build-up
9pm: Miami GP Qualifying*
10.45pm: Ted's Qualifying Notebook*

Also See:

  • Formula One: Driver Standings
  • Latest Formula 1 video
  • Get Sky Sports F1
  • W Series Live on Sky Sports in 2022

Sunday, May 8
3.20pm: W Series Race Two
7pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Miami GP Build-up
8.30pm: THE MIAMI GRAND PRIX*
10.30pm: Chequered Flag: Miami GP Reaction*
11.30pm: Ted's Notebook*

*Simulcast on Sky Sports Main Event (qualifying and race build-up simulcast from 8.30pm and 7.30pm respectively)
**Simulcast on Sky Showcase

Trending

  • 1
    Transfer Centre: 'Spurs reach full verbal agreement to sign Porro'
  • 2
    Papers: Arsenal want to sign both Caicedo and Rice
  • 3
    Tyson Fury: 'Jake Paul is a decent boxer' | 'I'm in limbo, I just want to fight!'
  • 4
    Keane: Casemiro a huge signing | Ten Hag: A great player
  • 5
    FA Cup Hits & Misses: Antony 'growing' while Son shows class is permanent
  • 6
    Beterbiev beats Yarde in bruising eight-round battle
  • 7
    Jake Paul: I'll be world champion | 'Like saying a pig will fly,' responds Fury
  • 8
    Brighton tell Arsenal target Caicedo to stay away from training until deadline
  • 9
    Arsenal transfer rumours: Martinelli agrees new four-and-a-half year deal
  • 10
    Man Utd transfer rumours: United awaiting offers for loanees
  • Video
  • Latest News
  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2023 Sky UK