F1 2022: Verstappen beats Leclerc to win Miami GP: Red Bull close in on Ferrari

After starting the race from P3,

Max Verstappen

took the win at the first-ever

Miami Grand Prix

held at the 5.412 km long purpose-built Miami International Autodrome circuit, prepared around the Hard Rock Stadium. The Red Bull Racing driver finished with 26 points after winning the race with the fastest lap, which means that he is now closing in on Scuderia Ferrari's

Charles Leclerc

.

The point difference has been reduced to just 19 points, with Charles Leclerc still comfortably leading the 2022 Driver Standings with 104 points. The Monegasque driver finished +3.786 seconds behind Verstappen, followed by his partner

Carlos Sainz

taking the final spot on the podium at the 2022 Miami Grand Prix.

Sergio Perez took the fourth position, bringing home 12 points, followed by George Russell who showed a brilliant performance after starting in P12, but finishing P5, just ahead of his Mercedes teammate

Lewis Hamilton

in P6. A late collision between Lando Norris and Pierre Gasly brought out the Safety Car, with the McLaren driver unable to continue, whereas the French AlphaTauri driver retired a few laps later.

Here are all the 10 point scorers at the 2022 Miami Grand Prix:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) - 1:34:24.258

2. Charles Leclerc (Scuderia Ferrari) - +3.786s

3. Carlos Sainz (Scuderia Ferrari) - +4.443

4. Sergio Perez (Red Bull Racing) - +2.409

5. George Russell (Mercedes-AMG Petronas) - +7.994

6. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes-AMG Petronas) - +2.782

7. Valtteri Bottas (Alfa Romeo) - +3.705

8. Esteban Ocon (Alpine) - +3.313

9. Alexander Albon (Williams) - +3.979

10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) - +4.661

Moreover, Zhou Guanyu, Sebastian Vettel and Kevin Magnussen were the other drivers that suffered an early retirement. Valterri Bottas of Alfa Romeo, Esteban Ocon of Alpine, Alexander Albon of Williams and Lance Stroll of Aston Martin were the remaining four point scorers at the inaugural 2022 Miami Grand Prix.