“They do it different in Miami”: F1 fans react to Max Verstappen crossing the finish line without a checkered flag

Max Verstappen drove a brilliant race on Sunday (May 7) to win the second edition of the Miami GP. No other drivers were a match to the #1 Red Bull driver, as he blazed through the field to win his third race of the season. However, in a bizarre turn of events he won the race without taking the checkered flag!

As noticed by eagle-eyed fans, at the end of 57 laps, Max Verstappen's Red Bull crossed the start-finish line before the checkered flag had even dropped. Just after the defending champion crossed the line, the flag dropped down.

The checkered flag is usually waved by high-profile guests of the F1 paddock, but it is the race organizers who guide them. Fans called out the sloppy job by the organizers who couldn't manage the simple job.

The incident quickly caught the attention of fans, who posted hilarious reactions to the mishap. Here are a few of them:

Some argued that since Sergio Perez took the checkered flag first, he was the real winner of the Miami GP.

While the checkered flag mishap happened post-race, the pre-race driver introductions weren't a fan favorite either. The majority of the drivers themselves weren't interested to participate in the pre-race show. It wasn't popular amongst the fans too as they termed it cringe-worthy.

While the Miami GP is a star-studded event, long-time F1 fans still argue about its existence on the calendar. However, this year's race provided better on-track action compared to the inaugural race.

After completing the first of the three races in the United States this year, F1 fans should get used to the American way of doing things.

---

Max Verstappen not bothered by fans booing at Miami GP

F1 Grand Prix of Miami

Max Verstappen was booed by a section of fans in the grandstands as he walked out in the pre-race intro. He received a similar treatment when he stood on the top step of the podium after taking a hard-fought win, having started ninth.

The two-time world champion is not bothered by the boos from the crowd at the Miami GP as he reckons it signifies he is winning. He adds that no one sneers at the person who drives at the back:

"I think if I will be driving in the back nobody will be even doing anything in terms of reaction. Right? I think it’s normal when you’re winning and they don’t like who is winning."

"So this is something for me which is absolutely fine as long as I stand on the top, that’s for me the most important. I take the trophy home and they go back to their houses and they can have a nice evening."

Taking home the first-place trophy, Max Verstappen extended his lead in the drivers' standings as he is 14 points ahead of his Red Bull teammate Sergio Perez.