F1 2023: Verstappen blitzes from P9 to win Miami GP, leads Red Bull 1-2

The fifth round of the 2023 Formula One season came to an end with Max Verstappen gaining a total eight positions to emerge victorious at the Miami Grand Prix, held at the 5.412 km long Miami International Autodrome. Meanwhile teammate Sergio Perez was demoted to P2 despite starting the race from pole position.
Verstappen ended up ninth after Charles Leclerc’s spin cut Q3 short on Saturday, as his partner led the pack.Perez defended the lead from Fernando Alonso, while Verstappen made constant progress on hard tyres. By Lap 15, the reigning Champion had managed to move on to the second position, just behind Checo.
Perez pitted for Hard tyres on Lap 21, thereby letting Verstappen take the lead until the Dutch racer had to pit himself, putting on fresh Medium tyres, joining the race behind Perez. It was about time that Verstappen managed to zoom past his teammate, finishing over five seconds clear, and also taking the additional point for the fastest lap in the meantime.

“I had a good little battle with Checo at the end. We kept it clean and that’s the most important [thing] – it’s a great win today. Yesterday was of course a bit of a setback. Today we just kept it calm, kept it clean, and for sure, winning a race from P9 is always very satisfying,” said Max Verstappen after the race.
Take a look at all the point scorers at the 2023 Miami Grand Prix -
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 1:27:38.241
2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull)
3. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
4. George Russell (Mercedes)
5. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari)
6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)
7. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
9. Esteban Ocon (Alpine)
10. Kevin Magnussen (Haas)
Behind Red Bull drivers was Fernando Alonso, securing his fourth podium position in the five races so far this season. George Russell gained two positions to finish P4, while Ferrari's Carlos Sainz slipped two spots and could only manage a fifth. Lewis Hamilton started the race from the 13th spot on the grid, however, ended up gaining seven spots to take P6. Charles Leclerc, Pierre Gasly, Esteban Ocon, and Kevin Magnussen were the remaining four point scorers at the 2023 Miami GP.

As the table stands, Red Bull now leads the Constructor Standings with 224 points - 122 more than Aston Martin who sits on second. Mercedes occupies the third spot with 96 points, while Ferrari sits on fourth with 78 points to their name. Max Verstappen is now 14 points clear off his teammate at the top, sitting comfortably with 119 points to his name.
Stay tuned to TOI Auto for all updates on the 2023 Formula One season, as well as all Qualifying, Sprint and Race reports.