Verstappen and Hamilton start far down the grid
On a warm Sunday evening in Miami, the starting grid for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix offered a quiet reminder that sport, like life, rarely follows the expected order. Sergio Perez stood at the front, flanked by Alonso and Sainz, while two of the sport's most storied names — Verstappen and Hamilton — found themselves consigned to the back, each carrying the weight of circumstance into a race that would demand patience, craft, and recovery. In the theatre of Formula One, the grid is only the beginning of the story.
- Perez's pole position hands Red Bull a front-row advantage even as their dominant champion Verstappen starts from the very back of the grid.
- The absence of both Verstappen and Hamilton from the front rows creates a rare and volatile opening dynamic, with the race's likely winners starting where they must fight hardest.
- Alonso and Sainz, positioned second and third, sense an opportunity to lead deep into the race before the faster machinery inevitably hunts them down.
- UK viewers can follow every overtake live on Sky Sports F1 from 7:30pm BST, with The Sun offering lap-by-lap updates for those tracking the comeback stories online.
The Miami Grand Prix was set to begin at 8:30pm BST on Sunday, May 7th — 3:30pm local time — but it was the starting grid, not the clock, that commanded attention. Sergio Perez had taken pole position for Red Bull, with Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz lining up second and third. It was a front row built for intrigue.
What gave the race its particular charge was where the sport's biggest names were not. Max Verstappen, the reigning champion and dominant force of the 2023 season, would start from the back of the grid. Lewis Hamilton, seven-time world champion, was similarly buried in the starting order. Both faced the prospect of a long afternoon of recovery driving in the Florida heat.
The Miami race was the first of three American rounds on the 2023 calendar, and it arrived carrying the weight of a season in which Red Bull had been near-untouchable. Perez's pole suggested the team's pace remained intact — even if their star driver would be charging through the field rather than leading it.
In the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 carried full coverage from 7:30pm BST, with NOW TV subscribers able to stream the action. For those without a subscription, The Sun offered live lap-by-lap updates throughout the race. Whatever had placed Verstappen and Hamilton so far back — penalties, qualifying misfortune, or mechanical trouble — the grid had set the stage for one of the more unpredictable afternoons of the season.
The Miami Grand Prix was set to unfold on Sunday evening, May 7th, with the race scheduled to begin at 8:30pm British Summer Time—3:30pm in Miami's local timezone. But the grid told an unexpected story. Sergio Perez had claimed pole position, a significant achievement for the Red Bull driver who would lead the field away from the line. Behind him, Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz occupied the second and third spots on the grid, positioning themselves well for the opening lap.
What made this particular Miami race noteworthy, however, was the absence of two of Formula One's biggest names from the front of the field. Max Verstappen, the championship leader and defending race winner from 2022, found himself relegated to the back of the grid. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion and one of the sport's most dominant figures, was similarly positioned far down the starting order. Both drivers would have significant ground to make up if they hoped to challenge for victory.
The Miami Grand Prix represented the first of three American races scheduled for the 2023 season, and it arrived with considerable anticipation. Red Bull had been the team to beat throughout the campaign, and Perez's pole position suggested they remained the outfit to watch, even with their star driver starting from an unfavorable position.
For viewers in the United Kingdom, Sky Sports F1 would carry the entire race, with pre-race coverage beginning at 7:30pm BST—a full hour before the lights went out. Those with NOW TV subscriptions could stream the action through the app or website, while the Sun would provide lap-by-lap updates for those following along online.
The circumstances that had landed Verstappen and Hamilton so far back on the grid remained significant questions heading into the race. Grid penalties, qualifying incidents, or technical issues could all explain their positions, but regardless of the cause, both drivers faced the prospect of a difficult afternoon in Miami. For Verstappen, it represented a rare setback for a driver who had dominated much of the season. For Hamilton, it was another reminder of the competitive challenges his team continued to face.
The Hearth Conversation Another angle on the story
How did Verstappen and Hamilton end up so far back when they're usually fighting at the front?
The source doesn't say exactly why they were penalized or what happened in qualifying, but the fact that they're both back there while Perez is on pole tells you something about Red Bull's weekend—maybe setup issues, maybe qualifying mistakes, maybe penalties. Either way, it's unusual.
Is this a big deal for the championship?
It depends on how the race plays out. Verstappen won here last year, so he knows the track. But starting from the back means he's got to pass a lot of cars, and in Miami's tight streets, that's not easy. One bad move and the whole afternoon is ruined.
What about Hamilton—is this typical for him this season?
The source doesn't give us the full picture of Mercedes' season, but Hamilton being that far back suggests his team is still struggling with whatever problems they've had. Perez on pole, though—that's interesting. It means Red Bull's car is quick, which is what we'd expect.
So Perez is the favorite tonight?
He's got the best starting position, and he's got a quick car underneath him. But pole doesn't always win in Miami. The street circuit is unpredictable, and with Verstappen and Hamilton hunting from behind, anything could happen.
Will this change how people see the championship fight?
If Verstappen can't recover and Perez wins, it shifts the narrative a bit. But one race doesn't define a season. What matters is whether this is a one-off or a sign that Red Bull's dominance is slipping.