The race desperately wants some fireworks to go with the grand spectacle it is so determined to present and Red Bull’s world champion must now very much light the blue touch paper in Florida. On form and on the back of a dominant world championship victory last year, Verstappen will not have expected to come under the cosh from Pérez so early in the season, yet at the Miami International Autodrome it was the world champion found wanting, while Pérez took advantage. Verstappen, who must pass them all in the race, held his hands up but remained bullish about his chances. With the championship a two-horse race between the Red Bull drivers, qualifying in Miami ensured Verstappen cannot take anything for granted.

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