Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc quickest at Miami Grand Prix first practice session, Max Verstappen third

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc set the fastest time at the Miami Grand Prix first practice session. The Monegasque is the current championship leader and he is facing a challenge from last season’s champion Max Verstappen, whose Red Bull team appears to have put their early season reliability issues behind them.

Ad/> Leclerc and Verstappen were quickest out of the blocks as they set early fast times, but all drivers whittled away the time as they got used to a brand new track. Miami Grand PrixVerstappen says 'a lot of things can go wrong' at Miami Grand Prix4 HOURS AGO Many of them struggled to anticipate the moves of their peers around the course, into and out of the pits, with a completely fresh layout taking time to master.

Before the race it was not clear whether Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton would be permitted — or willing — to race as the FIA repeated its warnings that it would not be allowed for drivers to wear jewellery while competing, but he made it out onto the track and set the eighth-fastest time on softs. 'We've got a spare driver' — Hamilton hints jewellery row could rule him out of Miami 'First Grand Prix under water' — Vettel makes climate protest at Miami Grand Prix Hamilton's car 'isn't that horrific' says Verstappen to reignite 'sandbagging' claims His teammate George Russell continued his impressive form with the second-fastest time, but there remains plenty to be done this weekend.

/> The session was not without incident as Esteban Ocon was investigated for a near-collision with Russell early on in the pits, Alfa Romeo’s Valtteri Bottas span out on turn 7, and Carlos Sainz narrowly avoided a crash with a wall only to puncture his tyre. /> /> Amongst the drama and confusion, and after Bottas caused a red