Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix: Antonelli secures historic win as McLaren dominates sprint
The 2026 season resumes in Miami with significant changes to energy harvesting rules; Ferrari and Red Bull face challenges while Williams shows improvement
Formula 1 has resumed the 2026 season at a temporary circuit in Miami following a five-week break. The weekend featured a sprint race and a main event, with significant changes to energy harvesting rules for qualifying designed to reduce speed differentials. McLaren dominated the event, with Lando Norris taking pole and the team securing a 1-2 finish in the sprint.
In the main race, Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, converted his third consecutive pole position into a race win. This achievement makes him the first driver in 76 years to achieve three consecutive pole-to-win victories. Antonelli held off a challenge from Norris despite Mercedes' slower qualifying pace, demonstrating superior race management.
Ferrari struggled in the main event, with Charles Leclerc finishing eighth after a race-ending suspension failure and penalty. Red Bull's Max Verstappen finished third after recovering from a spin and a stint on significantly older tyres. The event highlighted McLaren's technical superiority in adapting to the new regulations, while Mercedes and Ferrari faced challenges with their upgrade packages and car performance respectively.
The new limits on harvesting energy from the V6 to charge the battery on the move appeared successful in reducing potential for huge speed differentials. Miami's layout helped with plenty of braking zones to regenerate much of the allowed energy, meaning energy management was not much of a topic this weekend.
Williams has shown significant improvement in Miami compared to its poor start to the 2026 season, with both cars finishing in the points. Audi's Nico Hulkenberg suffered a fire on the way to the sprint grid, and Gabriel Bortoleto was disqualified from the sprint for a technical infringement.
Antonelli leaves Florida with a 20-point margin in the championship over Russell in second, albeit with 18 races left to go. The result underscores the competitive nature of the season as the sport moves forward with its modernised approach to racing.
