Miami Grand Prix shows Liberty Media's weaknesses in F1 Decisions.
F1 has been all sunshine and rainbows for Libtery Media in the last few seasons, but has the Miami Grand Prix show a chink in the libty media armor?
Red Bull take a dominate 1st 2nd Finish. Credit: Sporting news
The Miami Grand Prix was dominated by Red Bull's Max Verstappen, who managed to win the race from ninth position on the grid, beating Sergio Perez, the longtime race leader. Fernando Alonso also performed impressively, outdriving Carlos Sainz to finish fourth.
Despite the drivers' impressive performances, the race was largely boring due to various factors that restricted overtaking and competition.
The primary factor that contributed to the lack of excitement in the race was the track itself. The Miami track is too tight and underused, resulting in limited overtaking opportunities.
The lack of grip on the track, which was limited to the racing line, meant that overtaking was difficult. This issue is expected to improve over time, but it was a significant issue in the Miami Grand Prix.
The reduction of the DRS zones further hampered overtaking opportunities. Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc questioned whether this was the right approach for F1.
Leclerc expressed hope that the FIA would roll back any further plans to reduce the length of DRS zones.
Charles Leclerc (Finished 7th)
"I don't think it is the right direction," said Leclerc. "Hopefully, in future races, we won't shorten them."
Another factor that contributed to the lack of excitement in the race was the weight and size of the cars.
The cars are too heavy and wide to allow for hard racing on the small Miami track, making overtaking extremely difficult. The cars' proximity to each other further compounded the issue, making overtaking a rarity.
The race, if you could call it that, was characterised by conservative driving and tire-saving, leading to a lack of extra pit stops and further reducing the competition's excitement.
Also we don't need LL Cool J and will.i.am’s driver introductions ever again. Please. They were unnecessary and drivers say they are an "unwelcome distraction".
Despite Liberty Media's efforts to make the races as competitive as possible, the Miami Grand Prix's lack of excitement highlighted the need for improvements in the sport.
The introduction of extra sprint races and qualifying sessions has helped to compensate for the lackluster racing action this season.
However, F1 must ensure that the 2026 season allows for better racing to retain audiences for the entire season.
The Miami Grand Prix has revealed the weaknesses in Liberty Media's decisions, and improvements are necessary to maintain the sport's popularity.