This post was created with help from AI.
‘Go woke, go broke’, goes the old adage on the joys of renewable energy. And boy did we find out all about it in Portugal and Spain only a couple of days ago! Just as I was about to hit ‘post’ button, I realized that I wasn’t on the button – because I had no internet.
Some poor souls in the dark streets of Lisbon were even spotted searching for a phone booth in order to call somebody… So out of date these people.
But I digress, our Formula 1 correspondent, the mighty Irwin D Trenton, aka Irw, is currently in Miami. Doin’ things that only Miamians do. I dunno what that is, to be honest. Maybe chewing on the Cuban Sandwich? Or buying spotless expensive Diablos from the Curated dealership?
PREVIEW
The 2025 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, the sixth round of the season, takes place May 2-4 at the Miami International Autodrome, a 5.412km temporary street circuit around Hard Rock Stadium. This marks the first of three U.S. races and the second sprint weekend of the year, featuring one practice session, sprint qualifying, a sprint race, and grand prix qualifying before Sunday’s 57-lap race. The circuit’s 19 corners, three DRS zones, and elevation changes, particularly between Turns 13-16, challenge car setup and tire management, with Pirelli bringing softer compounds (C3, C4, C5) than last year, potentially shifting strategies toward two-stop races. Weather forecasts predict warm temperatures around 27°C with increasing chances of showers, adding unpredictability.
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri leads the Drivers’ Championship by 10 points over teammate Lando Norris, with the team also topping the Constructors’ standings after a strong start with four wins in five races. Norris, the 2024 Miami winner, aims to reclaim momentum at a track where he secured his maiden victory, while Max Verstappen, with two Miami wins (2022, 2023), remains a threat despite Red Bull trailing McLaren. Ferrari, debuting a special livery for their HP partnership anniversary, seeks to unlock the SF-25’s potential, with Charles Leclerc consistent and Lewis Hamilton still chasing his first win for the team. Rookies Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Oliver Bearman, and Jack Doohan make their Miami debuts, adding intrigue to the midfield battle.
The Miami Grand Prix’s vibrant atmosphere, high-speed straights, and tight walls demand precision, with overtaking opportunities at Turns 1, 11, and 17. Teams like Mercedes, struggling with tire degradation, and Haas, with a new lineup of Bearman and Esteban Ocon, face pressure to optimize setups in limited practice time. Red Bull’s Christian Horner has noted challenges with their car’s performance, making McLaren and Ferrari favorites, though Verstappen’s absence from Thursday media due to personal reasons could shift focus. With a close championship fight, strategic adaptability in the sprint format and potential rain could define the weekend’s outcome.
It’s a funny thing, you know. I’m often approached in the streets by balding overweight Formula 1 fans who keep asking me the same damn question over and over again: If Jean Alesi, Gerhard Berger, Alain Prost and Ayrton Senna were still racing today, who would have won the 2025 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and why? Fatties, I got your back or rather belly.
Predicting the outcome of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix with Jean Alesi, Gerhard Berger, Alain Prost, and Ayrton Senna racing today requires considering their historical strengths, driving styles, and how they might adapt to modern Formula 1 cars and the Miami International Autodrome. All four were exceptional talents in their eras (1980s-1990s), but their success in 2025 would hinge on their ability to master hybrid-era cars, current tire management, and the Miami track’s unique demands—19 corners, three DRS zones, and a mix of high-speed straights and technical sections. Based on their past performances, adaptability, and the track’s characteristics, Ayrton Senna emerges as the likely winner.
Senna’s edge comes from his unparalleled qualifying prowess, wet-weather mastery, and relentless racecraft, which align well with Miami’s challenges. Known for pole positions (65 in 161 races) and iconic performances like Monaco 1988, Senna would likely secure pole, critical on a track where starting position matters due to overtaking difficulties outside Turns 1, 11, and 17. His ability to read races and manage tires, as seen in his strategic 1991 Brazilian GP win, would suit the softer 2025 Pirelli compounds (C3-C5), which favor a two-stop strategy. With forecasts of possible showers, Senna’s wet-weather brilliance (e.g., Donington 1993) would give him an advantage if rain hits, allowing him to outpace rivals in tricky conditions. His mental toughness and focus, even under modern F1’s pressures, would ensure he capitalizes on the sprint weekend’s limited practice to optimize the car setup.
Prost, “The Professor,” would be a close contender with his smooth, cerebral style and strategic acumen (51 wins, 4 championships). His ability to conserve tires and fuel, as in his 1986 Adelaide masterclass, would suit Miami’s tire degradation challenges, but his conservative approach might cede qualifying to Senna, costing track position.
Berger, with 10 wins and a flair for fast tracks, could exploit Miami’s high-speed sections, but his inconsistency might hinder him in the sprint format’s intensity.
Jean Alesi, known for his raw speed, passion and emotional driving style, would bring flair to the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, but his chances of winning would be slimmer than Senna’s or Prost’s. Alesi’s sole F1 victory (1995 Canada) showcased his talent, but his career was marked by missed opportunities and mechanical failures, with only 32 podiums in 201 races. His aggressive style, often pushing cars beyond their limits, could lead to mistakes on Miami’s unforgiving street circuit, where precision is critical due to tight walls and limited runoff areas. While Alesi could shine in qualifying or the sprint race, his tendency to overdrive, as seen in races like Monza 1994, might result in tire wear issues or minor errors, relegating him to a midfield finish behind the more calculated Senna and Prost.
In this hypothetical 2025 Miami Grand Prix, Ayrton Senna would likely take the victory due to his superior qualifying speed, adaptability to modern F1’s complexities, and unmatched wet-weather skill, especially if showers materialize as forecasted. His ability to extract maximum performance from the car in a single lap would secure pole position, giving him control of the race from the start. Prost, with his strategic brilliance, would challenge for the podium, likely finishing second by optimizing tire management and capitalizing on any race incidents. Berger, fast but less consistent, would take third, thriving on Miami’s high-speed sections but unable to match Senna’s pace or Prost’s racecraft. Alesi, despite flashes of brilliance, would finish lower, perhaps fifth or sixth, hindered by his all-or-nothing approach on a track punishing small mistakes.
Senna’s win would stem from his unique blend of technical precision, mental resilience, and ability to perform under pressure, qualities that translate seamlessly to the modern era. Miami’s layout, with its overtaking challenges and variable conditions, rewards drivers who can dominate from the front and adapt on the fly—Senna’s forte. Prost’s methodical approach would keep him competitive, but he’d lack the raw edge to overtake Senna. Berger and Alesi, while talented, wouldn’t match the consistency needed for a 57-lap street circuit battle, making Senna the standout in this imagined clash of legends.
REVIEW (COMING ON MONDAY)
And the winner was…
The 2025 Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, held on May 4 at the Miami International Autodrome, delivered a thrilling spectacle dominated by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who secured a commanding victory, extending his drivers’ championship lead. Piastri, starting from fourth, capitalized on a chaotic first lap, avoiding Max Verstappen’s aggressive move that caused Lando Norris to drop back, and showcased blistering pace to seal a McLaren 1-2 with Norris recovering to second. George Russell’s third-place finish for Mercedes was a highlight, fending off Verstappen, who struggled with tire wear and settled for P4, labeling the race “a struggle.” The event, set against the vibrant backdrop of Hard Rock Stadium, drew record crowds and buzzed with off-track energy, including celebrity appearances and Moët & Chandon activations, reinforcing Miami’s status as a global F1 hub with a new 10-year contract extension to 2041.
Hot topics swirled around McLaren’s dominance and the intensifying championship battle. Piastri’s win, his third of the season, solidified his lead over Norris and Verstappen, setting up a fierce title fight. The sprint race, marred by rain and a safety car, saw Mercedes’ rookie Kimi Antonelli claim a shock pole, sparking chatter about his potential, though he faded in the main race. Ferrari’s lackluster performance was a major talking point, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc finishing a disappointing eighth and seventh, respectively, frustrated by setup issues and strategy calls, as Hamilton’s radio outbursts hinted at deeper team tensions. Fans also buzzed about Norris’s redemption arc after a botched sprint start and the looming threat of rain, which ultimately held off but kept teams on edge.
The Miami circuit itself drew mixed sentiments. While the 5.41km street track with 19 corners and three DRS zones offered overtaking opportunities, some drivers, like Hamilton, likened it to a “B&Q carpark,” criticizing its racing quality despite its unique setting. Pirelli’s softer tire compounds and high temperatures challenged teams, with McLaren mastering the conditions while Red Bull and Ferrari struggled. Off-track, the event’s cultural vibrancy shone, with Goldman Global Arts’ “Dreams in Motion” exhibition and CELSIUS parties at Palm Tree Club Miami elevating the weekend’s allure.
Despite the racing action, the Miami Grand Prix’s broader impact was undeniable. Generating over $1 billion in economic impact since 2022, the event’s promoter, South Florida Motorsports, earned accolades as 2024’s F1 Promoter of the Year. The weekend’s sprint format, F1 Academy, and Porsche Carrera Cup support races kept fans engaged, while special liveries from Ferrari, Kick Sauber, and Racing Bulls added visual flair. Verstappen’s pole position, secured by a razor-thin margin over Norris, underscored his resilience as a new father, quashing doubts about his focus. Yet, McLaren’s 105-point constructors’ lead and Piastri’s calm, calculated drive stole the narrative, leaving fans eager for the next chapter in this wide-open 2025 season.
Believe it or not, I’ve had a lot of people wearing MAGA hats coming up to me in the paddock and asking the same annoying question: How many races can Oscar Piastri potentially win this season? MAGA peeps, have the answer for you!
Predicting the exact number of races and Formula 1 titles Oscar Piastri could win in the 2025 season involves uncertainty, as outcomes depend on numerous variables like car performance, competition, reliability, and race circumstances. However, we can make an informed assessment based on his current trajectory, the 2025 season’s context, and McLaren’s competitiveness, while addressing the hot topics surrounding his campaign.
As of the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, the sixth race of the 24-race season, Piastri has secured three victories (Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Miami), making him the only multiple-race winner so far. With 18 races remaining, his potential for additional wins hinges on McLaren’s dominant form, which has seen them lead the constructors’ championship by 105 points and secure a 1-2 in Miami. Piastri’s consistency, adaptability, and tire management—praised by engineers and analysts—position him well to capitalize on McLaren’s pace advantage. Assuming he maintains this form and McLaren’s car suits tracks like Monaco, Silverstone, and Spa, he could realistically target 6–10 more wins, bringing his season total to 9–13 victories. This estimate accounts for challenges from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who remains a threat on high-speed circuits, and potential improvements from Ferrari or Mercedes. The mood among seasoned F1 journos (like myself) is that of optimism, with some projecting him as a 2025 champion based on his current lead and McLaren’s edge.
Regarding the drivers’ championship, Piastri leads the standings after Miami, with Lando Norris and Verstappen not too far behind. His calm demeanor, likened to Alain Prost, and ability to deliver under pressure—evident in his Saudi Arabia win despite Verstappen’s early challenge—make him a strong title contender. McLaren’s car reportedly favors Piastri’s driving style over Norris’s, giving him an edge in their intra-team battle. However, Verstappen’s experience and Red Bull’s potential to unlock performance, as seen in his Japan pole, could disrupt Piastri’s run. If Piastri sustains his lead and avoids costly errors like his Melbourne spin, he has a 50–60% chance of clinching the title, especially if McLaren maintains reliability and strategic sharpness. The overall sentiment in the paddock underscores his championship pedigree, citing his junior titles (2019 Formula Renault, 2020 F3, 2021 F2) and rapid F1 rise.
Hot topics influencing his prospects include McLaren’s constructor dominance, which provides a stable platform but raises questions about team orders, as seen in 2024’s “Papaya Rules” favoring Norris. The 2025 season’s tight competition, with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli emerging as a wildcard and Ferrari’s struggles potentially easing, adds complexity. Additionally, the FIA’s governance, including penalties and tire compound challenges, could impact race outcomes, as seen in Miami’s high temperatures affecting Red Bull and Ferrari. In summary, Piastri could realistically win 9–13 races and has a strong shot at the drivers’ title, provided he navigates team dynamics, rival resurgence, and external variables effectively.
iberianmph.com 