🌴 Miami GP - Magic or Tragic?

Hey there, Pole-sitters! 👋 

Fresh off the Miami GP, we're here to give you the lowdown on the wild ride that was.

In the "305" edition of our F1 newsletter, Red Bull's daring dance of strategy saw a thrilling head-to-head between Perez and Verstappen. But not everything in Miami was as smooth as their pit stops.

A new pre-race parade saw drivers strut their stuff, sparking controversy faster than a confused influencer asking where the car's handbrake is.

Let's dive into the glitz, glamour, and controversies of the Miami GP – it's time to turbocharge your F1 knowledge!

📈 Race pace analysis via @FDataAnalysis

• Verstappen was quicker than Perez despite running a less optimal strategy and being in traffic at the start.

• Aston 🟰 Mercedes > Ferrari here. Alonso’s pace was great, but Russel proved to be was fast as well

• Alpine cars were best-of-the-rest

• Red Bull was the quickest car in all parts of the race

Which were each car's aerodynamic traits?

🔵 Red Bull did the best lap time AND top speed ➡️ Unmatched efficiency

🔴 Ferrari was competitive and had a good top speed

🟢 Aston was quick, DESPITE their low top speed ➡️ They had tremendous downforce and would’ve benefited from rain.

👨🏼‍⚖️ ‘Boring’ Miami GP proves that stacks of overtakes isn’t what fans feel F1 is missing

I’ve seen mixed feelings about the race on Sunday, but one thing I’ve noticed again and again (at least in my feed, thanks Twitter) was the fact that the race was a boring one in Miami.

I’ll act as your own personal myth buster and share some stats that might change your mind:

• The Miami GP had the most overtakes this season. 60 for the entire race vs. 2nd place Bahrain with 37.

• 43 of them were shown in the live broadcast. Last year's race had 52 overtakes.

• Verstappen did the most overtakes this race with 8

• Magnussen and Bottas were the most overtaken drivers this race both with 7.

If you want to see every overtake, i suggest you read this article.

On the same subject, WTF1 had a great opinion article.

🛞 Verstappen's tire strategy sealed the deal in Miami

Starting on hard-compound tires turned out to be the secret sauce for several drivers, including Max Verstappen. He managed to win the race, with teammate Perez in 2nd place and Alonso rounding up the podium.

Ex-Aston Martin strategist Bernie Collins dives into the data and explains that the hard tire choice helped drivers.

Although graining was a potential issue for both the medium and hard tires, the latter provided advantages, especially for those starting out of position. - Read more

⚪ When correcting for the effect of fuel reduction, the Hards had almost NO drop-off in performance(last few laps relative to just a couple drivers)

🟡 The Medium compound was uncompetitive, being slightly slower than the hards even in the first half of the stint.

⏱ Equal info, unequal results

During the Miami Grand Prix, Christian Horner insists that both Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen received the same intel from the team.

Despite TV coverage suggesting otherwise, Horner states that the 19.8 seconds magic number was clear to both drivers.

Though the outcome may not have been ideal for Perez's title aspirations, there's still a long way to go with 18 races and five sprint races left. - Read more

👑 Fernando Alonso casually multitasking while holding his podium position.

Fernando Alonso not only focused on securing his podium position but also kept an eye on teammate Lance Stroll's progress.

In a multitasking masterclass, Alonso caught Stroll's smart move on Williams rival Alex Albon via trackside TV screens. From brake balance advice to casually watching the race while driving through high speed corners… El planificador. - See the video

😵‍💫 Neither the drivers nor the die hard fans enjoyed the Pre-Race Show at the Miami GP

F1 drivers had mixed reactions to the unconventional pre-race introductions at the Miami Grand Prix, featuring will.i.am and LL Cool J. While some drivers, like Lewis Hamilton and Nico Hulkenberg, enjoyed the experience and supported trying new things, most of the others found it distracting and unnecessary.

F1 might have considered that with the 250$ salad on the menu, fans should at least have a better show than the other races. - Read more

🛑 FIA says "no more pit-lane chaos!" after Ocon's close call at Azerbaijan GP.

They've introduced new measures to keep everyone safe, including keeping team mechanics and VIPs away from the pit lane until the last car has seen the chequered flag. Break the rules? Prepare to lose your guest passes and face the stewards. - Read more

As we gear up for the next thrilling race at the Imola Grand Prix, it's the perfect time to dig into the rich history of Italian motorsports, where passion and speed are a way of life.

Today we're exploring the heart and soul of Italy's love affair with Formula 1, with a special focus on the fanatical supporters of Scuderia Ferrari - the Tifosi - and their unwavering presence at the Italian races.

The Tifosi - A Unique Breed of Fans

I’ve heard of them, talked of them, but never have I imagined what I saw last year during the Monza GP.

Chanting, singing and enjoying every event during the race, not to mention the show they did in the stands.

The Tifosi were born out of Italy's deep love for motorsports, nourished by the country's rich racing history and the iconic red cars from Maranello.

These fans are known for their loyalty, passion, and unmatched enthusiasm for Scuderia Ferrari, making them a unique and essential part of the F1 experience.

The term ‘tifosi’ was first used to describe fans of Scuderia Ferrari in the 1930s. Large crowds of supporters would come to the races to support Enzo Ferrari who had just begun racing his cars.

The title has been popularized to enormous proportions in the 21st century. You simply cannot witness a race in Italy without the term being mentioned by commentators on multiple occasions.

The origin of the word ‘Tifosi’

Upon research, one comes across several stories describing the origin of the word ‘tifosi‘. One historical account also pointed out that the term might originate from the disease ‘typhus‘.

Some believe it translates to ‘fanatic’ in a old Tuscan dialect, although the most widely accepted story of origin is the above-mentioned derivation of the word ‘typhos’ from ancient Greece(meaning ‘heavy stupor’).

More Than Just Fans

Being a Tifoso isn't simply about cheering for Ferrari; it's a way of life. These fans share an unbreakable bond with the team and its drivers, treating them like family.

They wear their hearts on their sleeves, celebrating the victories, mourning the losses, and always remaining hopeful for a better race next time.

The Imola Grand Prix - A Celebration of Italian F1 Passion

The Imola Grand Prix is one of the highlights of the Formula 1 calendar, thanks to its challenging circuit and electrifying atmosphere.

The Tifosi come out in full force, transforming the stands into a sea of red, cheering for their beloved Ferrari at every twist and turn.

This passion is infectious, and even the most impartial spectators can't help but feel the adrenaline pumping through their veins.

The Tifosi's Impact on the Race

It's no secret that the Tifosi play a pivotal role in motivating the Ferrari team at Imola. The drivers often speak of the immense support they feel from the crowd, which inspires them to push even harder on track.

The team's management is also well aware of the responsibility they hold in meeting the expectations of their passionate fan base, always striving to deliver the best possible performance.

Scuderia Ferrari - A Symbol of Italian Pride

The Legendary Prancing Horse

The iconic Prancing Horse logo has become synonymous with Italian excellence and racing heritage. Scuderia Ferrari is more than just a team; it's a symbol of national pride that unites millions of Italians behind a common goal - victory on the racetrack.

The Team's Rich History

Ferrari's storied past, with legendary drivers like Juan Manuel Fangio, Niki Lauda, and Michael Schumacher, only adds to the allure and admiration for the team.

The Tifosi remember and celebrate these iconic figures, cherishing the memories of glorious triumphs and nail-biting rivalries that have defined the sport.

The Future of the Tifosi and Ferrari

A New Generation of Fans

The Tifosi are here to stay. As a new generation of fans emerges, they will carry the torch of passion and devotion, ensuring that the love for Scuderia Ferrari remains as strong as ever.

The Quest for Glory

With young talent like Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz behind the wheel, the future looks promising for Ferrari. With 2008 being the last year Ferrari won a Constructors Championship Title, fans are getting more and more anxious to have the Scuderia back at the top spot.

The Tifosi and their love for Scuderia Ferrari is a testament to the deep-rooted passion for Formula 1 in Italy. From the iconic red cars to the intense emotions experienced by the fans, the relationship between the Tifosi and Ferrari is truly special.

🔵 During the podium ceremony at the Miami Grand Prix, Max Verstappen didn’t receive the friendliest of responses from fans watching. Instead, he was jeered and booed as he stood on the top step of the podium. But does he care? Nope. Not at all. - Read more

🫢 Mercedes has made an offer to Red Bull chief designer Adrian Newey. Ferrari also tried unsuccessfully to find another Red Bull aerodynamicist. - Read more

🔵 Daniel Ricciardo has revealed that he is set to get his first taste of the RB19 following July’s British Grand Prix, as part of the Australian’s wide-ranging third driver duties for Red Bull. - Read more

🟠 McLaren has recalled former sporting director and Indianapolis 500 winner Gil de Ferran to act as a consultant for the next stage of the team’s restructuring. Might be a good call after they endured another weekend 0 points. - Read more

😰 Martin Brundle feared he had caused Sir Jackie Stewart to be ejected from the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix grid after the latter clashed with security guards. - Read more

🔵 Szafnauer's future under threat amid Alpine struggles - Read more

🧠 Formula 1's cost cap rules are forcing teams to change their approach to car improvement, as they look for ways to improve performance without the need for brand-new parts. - Read more

🥊 A slogan battle erupted when master of ceremony LL Cool J called Formula 1 'The Greatest Spectacle in Racing'. Apparently the owners of Indy 500 aren’t too hyped up about this. - Read more

📑 Michael Andretti officially filing F1 entry this week: ‘Building the team as we speak’ - Read more

🟢 Fernando Alonso says Aston Martin must stay focused and ready to pounce when there is a “crack” in Red Bull’s form if it wants a Formula 1 victory. - Read more

⚫️ Lewis Hamilton says he had "a lot of fun" fighting his way through the field in Miami – but added he's "counting down the days" until he gets his hands on the new Mercedes upgrade package in Imola. - Read more

🎆 The organisers of the Miami GP have held discussions about turning their annual Formula One event into a night race in the future. - Read more

😤 Damon Hill questions whether fans ‘understand F1’ after the Miami GP complaints about the boring race. - Read more

❤️ ICYMI: Ricciardo tricks Tsunoda, and Toto triggers the bleep machine – The best social media from Miami - Link

🇺🇸 Scheduled: 19-21 May

Imola – or the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari as it’s been known since 1988 – had its foundation stone laid in March 1950. It was ready for testing by October 1952, while racing began at the circuit in 1953.

We will be covering the entire track stats, history and what to expect the following weekend in our next issue. So stay tuned 🏆