Formula 1 3 Days

Last updated: May 6, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

Formula 1: Miami Grand Prix Wrap-Up & Technical Matters

The return of Formula 1 to Miami saw Kimi Antonelli underlining his title credentials by securing his third consecutive race win of the 2026 season, triumphing over reigning champion Lando Norris in a demanding and chaotic event. Despite the victory, the competitive nature of the field was underscored by team principal Toto Wolff, who stated that poor starts are deemed "not acceptable" if Mercedes intends to contend for world championships, even as the constructor maintains a maximum four-win streak across the first four Grands Prix. Meanwhile, technical scrutiny followed the qualification session, as Isack Hadjar was officially disqualified from qualifying after his Red Bull failed to comply with the F1 technical regulations regarding ride height or floor integrity.

The race weekend also served as the first examination of recent rule tweaks designed to improve safety following an enforced five-week break, though the impact of potential rain, often a source of paddock anxiety, ultimately proved less decisive than the on-track incidents. One such incident involved Liam Lawson, who avoided penalty for flipping Pierre Gasly on lap five because his Racing Bulls unit suffered a critical gearbox failure just prior to contact, influencing the stewards' decision not to penalize the driver. Furthermore, Max Verstappen received a five-second penalty for crossing the pit exit line during the Grand Prix, yet he successfully retained his fifth-place finish due to Charles Leclerc incurring an even greater penalty later in the race.

In off-track developments affecting the sport’s future, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem promised a return of V8 power units by 2031 at the absolute latest, ending the current 13-year absence of the engine configuration which was replaced by the V6 turbo-hybrids in 2014. Red Bull personnel, including Verstappen, expressed surprise at their qualifying performance in Miami, where they secured a strong second place, a marked improvement from Japan, with Verstappen revealing a hidden factor aiding the team's recovery that contributed to their unexpected pace in the US.