Mexican driver Sergio Perez, racing for Red Bull, stood out with a commanding victory in Azerbaijan last weekend as Formula 1 moves to the Hot Miami Grand Prix in the United States. The weekend in Miami will test the sport’s evolving dynamics, with Fernando Alonso of Aston Martin ready to push back against the dominant RB23 squad that has set the pace so far in the season.
Born 33 years ago in Guadalajara, Perez extended his impressive F1 tally with his sixth career win after taking pole and then triumphing in Baku, pushing his teammate Max Verstappen into second place. The win in the Azerbaijan street circuit marked Perez’s second success on this track, following 2021, and his second win of the current campaign after success in Jeddah. With two sprint races already in the books this season, Perez sits just six points behind the championship leader, maintaining momentum for a strong push in Miami.
While many would have dismissed the notion a few years ago, the possibility of a Mexican driver leading the world championship is now a tangible topic in the paddock. Perez’s talent, coupled with the remarkable performance of Red Bull and the RB23, keeps the door open for a dramatic title race as the season progresses toward the American Grand Prix weekend.
Red Bull’s early-season success has seen Verstappen and Perez share the victories across the first four rounds, underscoring the car’s status as the class of the field. Perez, who has a track record of winning on street circuits, hope to capitalize on this momentum as Miami hosts a circuit known for its demanding tempo and strategic tire management. Victory here would elevate him to the championship lead, especially with a supportive crowd likely to back him on the Florida coastline.
There are several plausible paths to the championship, yet Perez remains a fierce contender for the title as the season unfolds. One lingering challenge is the continued pursuit of his teammate Verstappen, who has assembled a strong points cushion and remains a central rival in the bid for a consecutive title run.
At the moment, Verstappen sits on 93 points, well ahead of Perez, with a comfortable gap to the rest of the field. The Spaniard Carlos Sainz sits fifth for Ferrari, after anchoring Ferrari’s recent podiums, while Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes remains a threat in the middle order. The season’s early results already suggest a shift in the competitive balance away from the early expectations for a more evenly contested championship.
Fernando Alonso has shown resilience, finishing on the podium in several races and delivering a standout performance with Aston Martin as the season has progressed. The team sits second in the Constructors’ standings, chasing Red Bull while maintaining a strong challenge to the new order. Alonso is determined to continue his high-level form through Miami and beyond, aiming to close the gap in both the drivers’ and constructors’ contests.
Fans will note Aston Martin’s continued development and consistency as a potential disruptor. The squad holds a solid position in the table and continues to push toward rivals’ speed while seeking improvements across weekends. The team’s growth is evident as it competes with the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari, and its performance in Florida will be closely watched as a barometer for the rest of the year.
From a technical standpoint, the Miami circuit around Hard Rock Stadium poses a unique challenge. The 5,412-meter layout features 19 corners with a mix of slow and fast sections, where high-speed drifts and precise braking will determine tire wear and overall pace. The track has been resurfaced to enhance grip, and the planned three DRS zones will influence overtaking opportunities throughout the race weekend.
On the performance front, Carlos Sainz remains a factor for Ferrari, having shown pace and consistency in recent rounds. Sainz is looking to rebound from a slightly below-expected finish in Azerbaijan, aiming to climb the standings with strong showings in the Florida heat and humidity. The midfield battle remains intense, with drivers and teams pushing to maximize every session of practice, qualifying, and the sprint format introduced this season.
The competition continues with a renewed focus on strategic tire choices across compounds C2 hard, C3 medium, and C4 soft, reflecting the delicate balance teams must strike between pace and endurance on a demanding Miami day. The new double-qualifying format adds further complexity, shaping the weekend’s narrative as teams balance speed with reliability in a hot, punishing environment.
As practice opens on Friday in the typical Miami heat, teams will map out setups that optimize grip, cooling, and downforce for the compact, high-speed streets. The weekend promises a loaded schedule, with two practice sessions leading into a Saturday sprint and Sunday’s physically demanding 57-lap race that tests nerve, strategy, and stamina across 308.3 kilometers of racing.