Perez for the win, Alonso hoping for 2nd - Miami GP talking points as excitement builds

With the Miami Grand Prix almost upon us, several questions must be answered in the race's running.

Firstly, will Sergio Perez lead the championship when the chequered flag drops? The Red Bull driver has looked particularly strong in the 2023 season's opening four races, winning two races - the other two going to teammate Max Verstappen.

Coming into the race, Perez is eight points behind Verstappen in the title race, but with the championship leader starting down in ninth, it is all up for grabs for Perez as he looks to register his fifth win of the season.

Sergio Perez is starting on pole for the #MiamiGP ????Here's the lap that clinched P1 for the Mexican ??#F1 @pirellisport pic.twitter.com/lWn3p6Vx1N

As for Verstappen, a rare mistake cost him a shot at pole position, with a crash by Ferrari's Charles Leclerc further hindering his chances. Though he is in the quickest car of the season - at least at this stage - it remains to be seen if the Red Bull wünderkind can claw his way up the order.

Verstappen is known for being a hard racer, but cooler heads must prevail, especially in the opening laps, as he makes his way up the field.

Still, as he picks off his rivals, Perez will extend his lead over the field. For Verstappen, he will hope for either a red flag or a safety car.

READ: The importance of a banker lap and why Red Bull missed it with Max Verstappen

Another aspect to keep an eye on is Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso. For the first time since the 2007 Indianapolis Grand Prix, the Spaniard will start a race in the USA from inside the top 5. And with Aston Martin establishing itself as the next best team after Red Bull, Alonso will hope to retain the position by the end of the race.

But fans will hope that the two-time