May 8, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands in turn one during the Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome. John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Max Verstappen wins first-ever F1 Miami Grand Prix

By Adam Stites | Last updated 5/8/22

Max Verstappen won Formula One's Miami Grand Prix on Sunday, beating Charles Leclerc by nearly five seconds for his third win of the season.

Verstappen, 24, started third but only needed until the beginning of lap nine to pass Leclerc for the lead, which he never gave back.

Max's move on Charles to take the lead in Miami ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/8ekrYvrZPZ
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) May 8, 2022

Leclerc, who has two wins this season, is still first in the driver standings after his fourth podium finish of the year. Carlos Sainz finished third Sunday and seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton finished sixth.

Verstappen won his first F1 championship in 2021, but had a rough start to the 2022 season. He broke down in the final laps of the Bahrain Grand Prix to open the year and broke down again in the Australian Grand Prix. However, his three wins have him now just 19 points behind Leclerc.

Next up on the F1 schedule is the Spanish Grand Prix on May 22. Last year, Hamilton won the race with Verstappen finishing second.

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