I expected little from the Miami Grand Prix. The track is my least favourite on the calendar. The dusty, abrasive track surface that is difficult to overtake on is complemented by a terrible layout that no one enjoys. Miami feels less like a Grand Prix circuit and more like trying to hold a race in a Tesco car park. So, after some of the most boring qualifying sessions in years, I was prepared to be negative. This feeling only grew when one of the most divisive, controversial, and inflammatory politicians in the world decided to turn the event into a photo-op for his deranged political campaign. Yet, after I stored all this negative energy up and was really ready to write a rant, instead I watched one of the best races in the past couple of years. A long-deserved winner, an upgraded McLaren and a chaotic Kevin Magnussen saved the weekend, pleasantly surprising millions of fans in the process.

Initially, the race looked processional. Whilst there was some good battling in the first couple of laps, mostly thanks to the Alpine drivers, Max Verstappen looked to be under control. Whilst not pulling away from the field like he usually does, Max maintained a healthy three second gap. But the first sign of trouble came when he hit a cone. Unlike the woman who hit a cone outside Bristol Zoo a couple years ago, Verstappen did continue driving. But this cone proved an ominous warning, that perhaps fate was not on Max’s side last Sunday.

Shortly after the close encounter of the coned kind, Max pitted for a new set of tyres. Initially, I expected Max to build a comfortable lead when the pit cycle had concluded. Yet, instead of closing the gap, it appeared that Lando Norris, on used tyres, in his upgraded McLaren, was actually pulling away from Verstappen. Realizing that the McLaren had a race pace advantage, it became clear that Verstappen was going to face a challenge to win the race. A possible Norris win was on the cards. And then, F1’s glorious chaos merchant decided to place the winning deck in Lando’s hands.

Throughout this season, Kevin Magnussen has been responsible for half of the entertainment. Whilst his driving standards are not always impeccable, he brings the drama that F1 sorely needs. This was evident in the Saturday sprint, where his fight with Lewis Hamilton featured wheel banging, corner cutting and three penalties, turning an otherwise boring event into a roulette of chaos. Then on Sunday, Kevin caused a safety car through a collision with Sargeant at the perfect time for Lando to pit and retain the lead.

After the safety car period, Lando was ahead of Max, in a faster car, with newer tyres. He proceeded to build up the gap and win the race by around seven seconds. It has taken so long, but this race provided fans with the hope that Red Bull are not invincible. Now, with an upgraded Ferrari due in Imola, it appears that F1 may be about to get competitive again. I, for one, am unbelievably excited.