After an unexpected five-week break that teams used to refine their 2026 projects, Formula 1 resumes next week with the Miami Grand Prix. Here are five questions that will shape the opening phase of the season as racing restarts.
Will Mercedes still set the pace, and can Russell match Antonelli?
Mercedes arrived at the hiatus having taken the first three wins and leading both championships, and they used the downtime to evolve an already strong package. Their qualifying dominance has been clear, although some race-day evidence — particularly in Japan — suggested rivals are closing the gap and that reliability remains a potential weak point.
On paper and in form they remain the benchmark for Miami, but the intra-team duel between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli is one of the season’s most intriguing subplots. Russell showed composure in testing and led in Australia, but small setbacks in subsequent rounds slowed his momentum. Antonelli, now a regular winner in his second season, leads the standings and has grown in confidence rapidly. Expect this pairing to be a focal point as the year develops.
How effective is McLaren’s all-new car?
McLaren’s start to 2026 has been inconsistent after heavy late-season development in 2025. They were off-pace in Australia, failed to start in China, then rebounded with Oscar Piastri fighting for victory and delivering the team’s first podium in Japan. Team principal Andrea Stella says a clearer understanding of the Mercedes power unit has helped them extract more performance.
Crucially, McLaren will introduce a “completely new car” in Miami (and Canada) as part of a major development step. Given their recent record of impactful upgrades, this could be a leap forward. If the new chassis and integration deliver, Lando Norris and Piastri could be genuine contenders for wins and keep McLaren involved in both championships — though displacing Mercedes will still be a tough ask.
Can Ferrari give Hamilton and Leclerc a race-winning package?
Ferrari’s early season work has raised hopes in Maranello. The decision to stop developing the 2025 car and focus on 2026 appears to be paying off: the team sits firmly in the top three, Charles Leclerc has collected two podiums from three races, and Lewis Hamilton looks refreshed and driving with enthusiasm.
Ferrari have shown creative ideas, including an unconventional rear wing, but outright winning pace has been sparse so far. Miami’s upgrade bundle will be closely watched to see if they can close the gap to Mercedes and stave off a charging McLaren on circuits that suit them.
Can Red Bull recover from a midfield start?
Red Bull’s season has been a surprise in the opposite direction. Their new Ford-backed power unit has shown reliability and strong performance, but their chassis has been underdeveloped and difficult to balance. That has left Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar fighting in the midfield rather than competing at the front, and Red Bull sit low in the Teams’ classification.
The team has staged spectacular recoveries before, but turning engine strength into a complete, race-winning car will depend on effective chassis upgrades and clever development during the remainder of the year.
Can Aston Martin and Williams arrest poor starts?
Both teams have struggled early. Williams missed a Barcelona shakedown due to production delays and have battled an overweight car; the shutdown allowed them to target weight savings and ready their first in-season upgrade. Aston Martin’s switch to Honda power has been compromised by early reliability issues, though fixes applied during the break aim to improve dependability. Both teams acknowledge substantial chassis work remains.
Miami will be important for both outfits as they unleash upgrades and try to leap back into the midfield fight. The size and effectiveness of those updates will determine how quickly they can recover.
What to expect in Miami
The five-week pause gave teams a rare chance to regroup. Mercedes appear likely to remain the team to beat, but McLaren’s major chassis update and Ferrari’s steady development make the front pack unpredictable. Red Bull must translate engine gains into a better-balanced car, while Aston Martin and Williams hope meaningful upgrades can reverse poor starts.
Expect tight strategic battles, upgrades trialled under race conditions, and sharper intra-team duels — notably Russell vs Antonelli and Piastri vs Norris — as the field reveals how well it used the break to sharpen its 2026 campaigns.