PIT LANE: Sauber break Ferrari dominance for the first time

Having dominated the opening quarter of the 2025 season, Ferrari failed to extends its winning streak in the pit lane, with Sauber having proved quickest in terms of performing the crucial tyre change.

The Formula 1 teams had to contend with changeable weather conditions in Miami. Ahead of the sprint race on Saturday, a heavy downpour created wet conditions and presented the entire field with strategic challenges as the track dried out.

Heavy downpours were also forecast for Sunday. During the race, however, there were only a few raindrops and the teams were able to stick to their dry race plans . For Gabriel Bortoleto, team strategy was to get him into the points for the first time.

Starting from P13, the Brazilian was bunched in with the rest of the chasing pack, unable to get past rookie Isack Hadjar. So, the mandatory pit stop came as tactical opportunity for Sauber. The Swiss outfit opted for an undercut, calling Bortoleto in for a tire change on lap 19.

Sauber swapped Bortoleto’s worn mediums for new hard tires in just 2.24 seconds, thereby posting the DHL Fastest Pit Stop. It’s the first time this season that Ferrari have not taken the honors.

Ultimately, though, Bortoleto was unable to cash in on the quick tire change – he had to park his Sauber after 30 laps due to technical problems: “It’s a shame, especially as DNFs have been rare in my career, but it’s all part of the game.”

McLaren have been the second quickest in the pit lane (2.25s), followed by Alpine (2.31s) and Red Bull (2.33s). Interestingly, Ferrari ended up only the fifth quickest team, having completed a 2.39-second pit stop which was identical to Racing Bull's own fastest tyre service.