NEED TO KNOW: The most important facts, stats and trivia ahead of the 2023 Miami Grand Prix

Formula 1 returns to the Sunshine State for Round 5 of the 2023 Formula 1 championship, so here’s everything you need to know for this weekend’s visit to Miami – featuring expert insight from former F1 driver Jolyon Palmer and former F1 strategist Bernie Collins, along with the fan view via our F1 Play predictor game.

There's no Sprint this weekend but there will be plenty of action with Free Practice 1 and 2 on Friday, FP3 and qualifying on Saturday, and the 2023 Miami Grand Prix on Sunday. Head to the RACE HUB to find out how and when you can catch it all.

READ MORE: Download the F1 race calendar to your device

Vital statistics

• First Grand Prix – 2022
• Track Length – 5.412km
• Lap record – 1m 31.361s, Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 2022
• Most pole positions – Charles Leclerc (1)
• Most wins – Max Verstappen (1)
• Trivia – Miami is the 11th different Grand Prix venue in the United States and the 77th different venue to host a Formula 1 World Championship Grand Prix
• Pole run to Turn 1 braking point – 170 metres
• Overtakes completed in 2022 – 110
• Safety Car probability – 100%
• Virtual Safety Car probability – 100%
• Pit stop time loss – 20.18 seconds

FAN VIEW: Max Verstappen did not claim pole in Azerbaijan and that has given gamers just a little hope that we may get more of the same in Miami. The Dutchman still has 60% of the F1 Play voting so far but there is good support too for his Red Bull team mate Sergio Perez and Ferrari star Charles Leclerc.

The driver’s verdict

Jolyon Palmer, former Renault F1 driver: Miami is a bit of a mix of a couple of big braking events, which you get on a lot of modern circuits. That's Turn 11 and Turn 17, end of really long straights, so you've got to be good on the brakes, but they're obviously overtaking opportunities but also areas to make mistakes and lock up and blow a lap.

The first sector is a fast, sweeping set of corners through S-Bends and you've got to pick your line, watch the kerbs – that's important – and if you get fractionally off line you can lose track grip thanks to the dust of the new surface.

The triple apex left-hander, Turns 6-8, is tough on the front-right tyre and a particular problem in the race, and the exit is crucial as it leads onto a long straight.

Miami GP pole-sitters

2022 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

Miami GP winners

2022 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

FAN VIEW: The Red Bull race pace has been dominant in 2023 and Verstappen has a much bigger advantage when it comes to this vote on F1 Play. He is polling at around 80% so far with Azerbaijan winner Perez on around 15%. There is also a little support for Leclerc, but the SF-23 still has something to prove over long runs.

Strategy and set-up keys

Bernie Collins, former Aston Martin F1 strategist: Given that there has only been a single race to date at this 5.412 km purpose-built temporary circuit situated around the Hard Rock Stadium, there is limited historical data for teams to draw on before hitting the track again.

The 2022 race saw the front-runners go for a medium-hard one-stop strategy. As it was reasonably difficult to overtake, most drivers stayed out on track under a late Safety Car, with the fresh tyre benefit not deemed strong enough to reclaim lost positions.

STRATEGY UNPACKED: Did the Safety Car prevent a different kind of battle between the Red Bulls in Baku?

After a few teething issues with the track surface, which was a little too soft, resurfacing has taken place for the 2023 event. This could have a significant impact on tyre degradation and strategy, and there will be plenty to learn during Friday’s practice sessions.

Some of those surface troubles stemmed from an incredibly hot track temperature, which peaked at 59.3 degrees Celsius. Pirelli’s C2, C3 and C4 compounds – from the middle of their 2023 range – have been brought to the track with this in mind.

Off the track, the paddock hospitality units have been moved inside the stadium. While this may sound like a very small change, it will increase distance and time for teams to go for meals and for drivers to reach their rooms between sessions. So, expect a few late arrivals for meetings!

Current form

Red Bull have won every Grand Prix so far in 2023 and, while Max Verstappen leads the standings by six points over Sergio Perez, Perez is on a hot streak right now. The Mexican driver took Sprint victory and victory in Sunday's Grand Prix at Baku and seems to be relishing the pressure of a title fight.

Perhaps you wouldn't bet against Red Bull here but anything can happen on tracks such as this. The fight for P2 in the constructors' is as tight as ever, and Ferrari aced the weekend in Azerbaijan with Charles Leclerc taking pole and Sprint pole, plus P3 in the Grand Prix. That could all change as Mercedes and Aston Martin are well in the mix.

READ MORE: ‘I don’t see him being a Fernando Alonso’ says Horner as he discusses Verstappen’s future in F1

Fernando Alonso is a driver loving life at the moment as he sits third in the drivers' standings having finished fourth at Baku, but Lewis Hamilton has been consistently strong for Mercedes as well and the seven-time champion took a brilliant P2 in Australia last month.

Further back, there's also little to choose from between McLaren and Alpine while Haas have been handy too.

As for home hero Logan Sargeant, he is one of two drivers seeking his first point of the season, and this would be a fantastic place for the rookie to score.

FAN VIEW: Leclerc and resurgent Spaniard Fernando Alonso battled it out for the final podium spot in Baku, and they dominate the voting here with the Red Bulls hot favourites for another 1-2 in Florida. There is some F1 Play support for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton, and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz.

Iconic moment

There's only been one Miami Grand Prix so far but last year's race saw plenty of action including a stellar duel between Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and his former team mate, Alfa Romeo's Valtteri Bottas. That duel ended with Bottas running wide and Hamilton breezing past.

That happened between some spectacular collisions, including one between Lando Norris and Pierre Gasly – and another between Mick Schumacher and compatriot Sebastian Vettel...

FAN VIEW: Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri are well fancied to challenge for points again in Miami after improved showings in Melbourne and Baku. The Alpines of Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon are expected to be in the mix while AlphaTauri’s Yuki Tsunoda is another attracting support after his P10 finish in Azerbaijan.

Watch the Miami GP live with F1 TV Pro

For the Miami Grand Prix, F1 TV Pro is offering a 7-day free trial so you can test drive the service for free in selected countries (USA, Canada, Netherlands and Brazil). Jump in. Start your 7-day free trial now.*

*Renews to full price unless cancelled. Web and app only. Excludes previous free trialists. T&cs apply.