Max Verstappen driving during qualifying at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix
BY
Hamir Thapar

Max Verstappen has taken pole for the Miami Grand Prix

2025 Miami Grand Prix: Qualifying

Elsewhere, Gabriel Bortoleto out-qualified his teammate Nico Hulkenberg for the second time this season, the rookie secured his best qualifying position to date in 13th with a car he described as easier to drive. Of the other rookies, Jack Doohan managed to outqualify his experienced teammate Pierre Gasly. The Australian appreciated the result but was nevertheless disappointed not to reach Q3, believing that a “couple of snaps” in Q2 cost him around a tenth of a second that could have got him further up the grid. Liam Lawson’s qualifying was curtailed by a battery issue, the subsequent loss in power denying him the chance to capitalise on a car he described as “really hooked up”.

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Oversteer through turn one and understeer through the final hairpin meant Nico Hulkenberg could only manage 16th, ahead of Fernando Alonso. Who was pleased with his performance and praised his team’s efforts in repairing his car after his crash in the sprint, but did not shy away from the fact that the AMR-25 lacks overall pace. The same could be said of Pierre Gasly whose three flying laps came and went without incident, but a lack of pace as well as a change in track conditions, meant 18th was all the Frenchman could manage. Much like his teammate, Lance Stroll said the car felt the best it has all weekend and accepted 19th as a representative result, while a dissatisfied Ollie Bearman rounded off the grid after what he deemed a “messy session overall”.

Max Verstappen edged out Lando Norris to claim pole position for the 2025 Miami Grand Prix in a tightly contested qualifying session.

Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Kimi Antonelli, Oscar Piastri, Miami Grand Prix, Miami GP, Miami Grand Prix 2025, Miami GP 2025, F1 Miami, F1 Miami 2025, Hamir Thapar
Max Verstappen edged out Lando Norris to claim pole position for the 2025 Miami Grand Prix in a tightly contested qualifying session.
View of ancient Roman landmarks in the historic centre of Rome
BY
Belén Sainz-Trápaga

Rome beyond time

A curated guide to the eternal city

Rome: an endless encounter

Whether seen through ancient ruins, quiet gardens, the tension of world-class sport, or the simplicity of a perfect meal, Rome offers more than a destination — it offers a way of life, layered and timeless.

Savouring Roman cuisine

Rome’s culinary heritage is inseparable from its daily life. In Piazza Navona, elegant cafés and trattorias offer the perfect setting to enjoy a glass of wine or a plate of spaghetti alla carbonara — the city’s quintessential dish.

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Nearby, Campo de' Fiori offers food tours and lively market stalls, while its surrounding gelaterie serve artisanal Italian ice cream in endless flavours.

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For a quiet espresso, locals often gather near Piazza della Rotonda, while the Spanish Steps area transforms by evening into a centre for fine dining and casual aperitivo alike.

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Across the Tiber in Trastevere, cobblestone streets reveal family-run pizzerias, rustic enotecas, and street food favourites like supplì and trapizzino — beloved by Romans for their simplicity and rich flavour.

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And before departing, tradition insists on tossing a coin into the Trevi Fountain, a ritual said to ensure a future return to the Eternal City.

A stage for world-class tennis

Every spring, Rome hosts the Internazionali BNL d’Italia — Italy’s most prestigious tennis tournament and a fixture on the ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 tours. For nearly a century, the tournament has drawn the world’s greatest players to its historic clay courts at the Foro Italico.

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Legends such as Rafael Nadal, with his record ten titles, and Chris Evert, with five, have defined eras here. Today, local attention turns to Jannik Sinner, the first Italian ever to top the ATP rankings — a moment of pride for the host city.

Rome beyond stone: gardens and green Spaces

Rome’s soul is not limited to marble and ruin — it is also among Europe’s greenest capitals, with vast public parks and elegant gardens.

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Once private estates, spaces like Villa Borghese — complete with its charming boating lake — and Villa Doria Pamphilj, the city’s largest park, now offer tranquil retreats. Villa Ada Savoia and Villa Torlonia remain less travelled gems, ideal for quiet afternoons.

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To glimpse both history and nature, explore the Appia Antica Regional Park, where 16 kilometres of the ancient Appian Way weave through Roman aqueducts, early Christian sites, and untouched countryside.

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For sweeping views, the Orange Garden (Savello Park) and the Pincian Terrace reveal Rome’s layered skyline, with domes and rooftops unfolding under the Mediterranean sky.

A city shaped by history and art

Every corner of Rome bears the imprint of centuries. The Colosseum, once the grand amphitheatre of the Roman Empire, remains one of the world’s most iconic monuments — its vast structure a testament to ancient engineering and spectacle.

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Nearby, the Roman Forum stretches out as a living museum of the city’s political and social heart, while Palatine Hill, birthplace of Rome’s legendary founders, offers panoramic views over the archaeological landscape.

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The Pantheon, still standing with its original vast dome, reflects the city’s architectural ambition; first built in 27 BC and later rebuilt in the 2nd century AD, it remains among the most perfectly preserved monuments of the ancient world.

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No first encounter with Rome is complete without the Vatican Museums, where masterpieces like the Sistine Chapeland St. Peter’s Basilica represent both spiritual and artistic heights. With thoughtful planning — or the guidance of a private tour — the experience becomes far richer and free of queues.

A curated guide to Rome, from the Colosseum and Vatican Museums to the city's quiet gardens, sporting events and finest cuisine.

Rome, Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Villa Borghese, Roman Forum, Italy, Belén Sainz-Trápaga
A curated guide to Rome, from the Colosseum and Vatican Museums to the city's quiet gardens, sporting events and finest cuisine.