2023 Miami Grand Prix: Verstappen Tops Field in Final Practice Run

The Red Bull driver powered past Charles Leclerc in the last session before qualifying.

Defending Miami Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen looks ready for an encore.

The two-time world champion completed his final practice session in 1:27.535, topping Charles Leclerc by 0.406 seconds to lead all drivers entering qualifying for Sunday's race at Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Verstappen owns victories in two of Formula One’s four races this season, having won in Bahrain and Australia. He sat on the pole in both those races and recorded the fastest lap in Saudi Arabia.

Leclerc, the most recent pole-sitter in Azerbaijan, placed second representing Ferrari after crashing in the second practice session Friday. Sergio Perez—Verstappen’s teammate and the owner of wins in Saudi Arabia and Azerbaijan—clocked in at 0.515 seconds behind Verstappen.

Ferrari's Carlos Sainz and Alpine's Esteban Ocon rounded out the top five at 0.590 and 0.872 seconds back of Verstappen, respectively.

Qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix will take place Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET.

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