Carlos Sainz at the 2022 Miami Grand Prix

Carlos Sainz's performance at the 2022 Miami Grand Prix saw the Scuderia Ferrari driver convert a front-row start into a hard-fought podium finish, navigating a demanding new circuit to secure third place. Starting from second on the grid, Sainz maintained a strong pace throughout the 57-lap race, ultimately crossing the line with a total race time of 1:34:32.487. This result marked a significant points haul for the Spanish driver, contributing 15 points to his season total. The inaugural event on the [Formula 1 — official site](https://www.formula1.com/en) calendar presented unique challenges, from the unfamiliar track surface to the high ambient temperatures, all of which Sainz managed to overcome to bring his F1-75 home. The initial stages of the race saw him defending his position fiercely, a testament to his race craft, especially after a challenging qualifying session.

While his teammate, Charles Leclerc, who started from pole, finished second, Sainz's consistent drive ensured a double podium for Ferrari, a crucial outcome for the constructor's championship battle. The race itself was ultimately won by [Max Verstappen at the 2019 Japanese Grand Prix](/results/2019-suzuka-max-verstappen), who started third, demonstrating the intense competitive landscape of the 2022 season. Sainz's fastest lap of 1:31.790 on lap 56, ranked third overall among all drivers, underscored his late-race pace and determination to hold his position against a charging Sergio Pérez. This strategic late push for pace is a common theme in Formula 1, as seen in other competitive drives like [Carlos Sainz at the 2019 Chinese Grand Prix](/results/2019-shanghai-carlos-sainz). The comprehensive data available for analysis, such as that provided by [Jolpica/Ergast — 2026 season data](https://api.jolpi.ca/ergast/f1/2026.json), helps illustrate these performance nuances. His ability to maintain his position and secure valuable points, despite the pressures from behind and the challenges of a new venue, highlights the strategic execution required in modern Grand Prix racing, a topic often explored in broader discussions about the [FIA — F1 World Championship](https://www.fia.com/events/fia-formula-one-world-championship) and its history on [Wikipedia: Formula One](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_One).