The race on Sunday is likely to only require one pit stop because of the Miami International Autodrome’s twisty track, low grip, and hot temperatures.
Many drivers said that how well they managed their tires during qualifying determined their performance on the 3.363-mile track.
Sainz said, “I think the tires we have for this race are too safe. I think we could use softer tires for more strategy options, so I don’t expect much difference from last year.”
Verstappen agreed, saying, “The track has very little grip, and the tires heat up quickly. I think the tires are too conservative, but they still overheat. I prefer races where you have to stop two or three times. It’s more exciting than just one stop. It’s not very challenging for the teams and drivers. In races like in China, where you could stop twice, there’s more flexibility in pit stops. Maybe we could use softer tires, but we’d need to talk to Pirelli about that.”
Even Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, expressed frustration with the tires. He said, “In all my years of racing, I don’t remember ever having such a small margin for error with the tires. It’s probably the most frustrating thing. In the past, we had more flexibility with tire performance. Now, it’s definitely more challenging.”
