Max Verstappen jokes about Miami misfortune: 'Hopefully we avoid it this year!'

Max Verstappen has playfully recalled his race-defining mistake at last season's Miami Grand Prix when looking ahead to this year's round in Florida. The Dutchman will arrive in the Sunshine State late , as partner Kelly Piquet is due to give birth to the couple's first child together. However, Red Bull has confirmed the four-time F1 drivers' champion will be racing at the Miami International Autodrome. Like last term, it is a sprint weekend, meaning there will be additional points up for grabs - and just one hour of practice to get dialled into the track. 12 months ago, Verstappen hit a bollard at the tight chicane in the middle sector of the circuit, causing damage to his RB20 whilst leading the grand prix. This, compounded by the unfortunate timing of the Logan Sargeant and Kevin Magnussen-induced safety car, left the 27-year-old to come home in second, behind Lando Norris, who claimed the first of his now-five grand prix victories. With Verstappen embroiled in a tight drivers' championship fight this year with the British driver and his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri, he joked that we hopes to avoid hitting any bollards this time around. "It was nice to have a weekend off racing as we head into a busy weekend in Miami," Verstappen ahead of the weekend. "The sprint weekend here is always quite hectic and there is always lot going on. "It is an interesting circuit and features a range of low and high-speed corners and off-camber sections. It is always pretty hot here and one of the more physical tracks, so we will see how we go. "I’m looking forward to racing in Miami, there is always a spectacle and a great atmosphere with the fans. And hopefully we avoid any bollards this year!"