Verstappen holds off Leclerc to win Miami GP after Norris crash

Max Verstappen resisted a late Charles Leclerc onslaught to win the inaugural Miami Grand Prix and cut his rival's championship lead.

Verstappen was in supreme form amid an incredible atmosphere at America's new street track and was comfortable after overtaking both Ferraris early on, before a late Safety Car - caused by a dramatic Lando Norris crash - led to a thrilling finale as the field bunched up.

Leclerc, the pole-sitter who lost his lead on Lap 7, suddenly found pace again in the closing stages as F1 2022's title protagonists battled again, but could not get ahead of Verstappen despite getting close with DRS.

Verstappen held his nerve and becomes the first Miami GP winner, ensuring he has claimed victory in all three races he has finished this year. Despite his two DNFs, he has cut Leclerc's title lead to just 19 points.

Carlos Sainz secured the final podium position for Ferrari, holding off Red Bull's Sergio Perez, who had fresh tyres at the end of the race but was also plagued by a lack of power with an engine issue.

George Russell and Lewis Hamilton placed fifth and sixth for Mercedes in more meagre damage limitation for the world champions, with Russell finishing ahead of his team-mate for the fourth race in a row.

Russell had started 12th but ran long before the Safety Car played into his hands. Russell twice got ahead of Hamilton afterwards with his fresh tyres, once on Lap 51 but off the track - with Mercedes telling him to give back the position - and then again with three laps remaining as he made the move stick legally.

Valtteri Bottas, who had run ahead of the Mercedes for most of the race, was forced to settle for seventh after he ran wide and hit the concrete while under pressure from the Silver