The 2026 Formula 1 season resumes after a five-week pause with the Miami Grand Prix, a weekend likely to reveal how early trends will play out once teams return with major updates.
Regulations remain the headline
The new regulations that increased electrical power to 50% are still the defining change this year. Early running exposed unintended side effects, and the break — prompted by cancelled Middle East races — gave the FIA time to review and introduce targeted tweaks. The Miami adjustments concentrate on how energy is deployed: aimed at making qualifying laps more attackable and reducing extreme closing speeds that occurred in certain race phases.
Teams and drivers will be assessing how those changes translate on track. The FIA is also expected to confirm which of the five power-unit manufacturers will be allowed upgrade windows, a politically charged decision. Mercedes principal Toto Wolff has questioned the level of catch-up scope rivals should receive, while figures at Red Bull have pushed back against the idea they currently possess the best engine.
Will the order change much?
Mercedes were the benchmark before the break, taking victory in the early rounds and claiming strong results across the opening events. Ferrari were the closest challengers and McLaren showed encouraging signs, particularly late in the opening sprint of the season, suggesting their understanding of the new rules is progressing.
Miami will see a long list of upgrades from many teams — the FIA expects an unusually busy upgrade cycle — so significant movement is possible. A total overthrow of the standings looks unlikely, but shifts that meaningfully alter podium contenders are well within reach. If Ferrari or McLaren’s updates land well they could narrow Mercedes’ margin; conversely, Mercedes could extend their advantage if their package improves effectively. As commentators have noted, the weekend will feel like a relaunch, with many cars substantially different from what we saw before the break.
The Russell–Antonelli subplot
An intriguing internal battle has emerged at Mercedes. George Russell, who was broadly expected to be among the frontrunners, finds himself behind his teenage teammate Kimi Antonelli in the drivers’ standings after three rounds — an unexpected narrative given Mercedes’ strong early form as a team. Both drivers have had five weeks to reflect: Antonelli arrived at the break with momentum, while Russell has had time to consider why he isn’t leading the title fight.
Miami is a Sprint weekend, giving Russell extra opportunities to recover points quickly. Antonelli has already demonstrated strong pace at this venue earlier in his debut season — taking Sprint pole and outqualifying Russell in the full session — so the intra-team dynamic will be one to watch. Toto Wolff will need to manage expectations around any internal tussles as both drivers push for results.
Which Hamilton will arrive in Miami?
Lewis Hamilton looked rejuvenated at the start of 2026, producing a podium in China and showing he could mix it with Charles Leclerc in qualifying. He appeared comfortable with the new car early on, notably emerging ahead of Leclerc in Shanghai.
However, Hamilton’s form dipped in Japan, echoing the struggles he experienced late in 2025. Miami has not historically been a happy hunting ground for him: across the first four Miami Grands Prix he has never finished higher than sixth, and his qualifying and race form in Florida have been inconsistent. By contrast, Leclerc has a Miami pole and two podiums, which underlines how challenging the circuit can be for Hamilton as he chases a record-equaling eighth title.
What to expect from the weekend
With the FIA’s energy-deployment tweaks and the pending decision on power-unit upgrade permissions, Miami will be a critical moment to gauge the season’s trajectory. Expect a hefty load of aerodynamic and powertrain updates and the possibility of notable performance swings. That said, continuity is also likely: Mercedes should remain firmly in contention, while Ferrari and McLaren could either close the gap or fall back depending on how their packages perform.
Key driver storylines are clear: Russell aiming to respond to his teammate’s early advantage; Antonelli looking to build on a strong start; and Hamilton needing to rediscover the consistency he showed in the opening rounds if he’s to become a sustained title contender.
Formula 1 returns to action May 1–3 for the Miami Grand Prix, the season’s second Sprint weekend, where the field’s interpretation of the revised rules and fresh upgrades will be put to the test.