Charles Leclerc dominated FP1 in Miami ahead of Verstappen and Piastri. Mercedes, lagging behind, is already worrying despite a crucial weekend.
Read more Charles Leclerc cools down Miami: Ferrari far from closing the gap with Mercedes?
The return of Formula 1 after a five-week break did not lack excitement on the Miami Grand Prix circuit. From the first Free Practice session, Charles Leclerc set the pace, posting the best time in a strategic session, the only opportunity for teams to work before the sprint qualifying.
In hot and dry conditions, the Ferrari driver gradually increased the pace to complete a reference lap in 1’29″310. A solid performance that confirms Scuderia’s ambitions this weekend, especially since many upgrades have been introduced on the SF-26.
Verstappen and McLaren in the mix
Behind Leclerc, Max Verstappen quickly positioned himself as a serious rival. The Dutchman finished three tenths behind, showing that Red Bull Racing remains in the fight despite a complicated start to the season.
The same goes for McLaren, with Oscar Piastri in third. The British team confirms its recent progress, even though Lando Norris was unable to fully exploit his potential, hindered during his fast lap.
Overall, the Ferrari–Red Bull–McLaren trio already seems to be pulling away, suggesting a tight battle for pole position during the sprint qualifying.
Mercedes lagging, Antonelli stopped abruptly
On the other hand, the situation is more concerning for Mercedes. Despite a decent pace mid-session, the Silver Arrows failed to reach the leaders’ level during qualifying simulations.
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Lewis Hamilton limited the damage with a fourth place, but George Russell remained quieter, while championship leader Kimi Antonelli saw his session abruptly interrupted by an engine problem.
A hard blow for the young Italian, deprived of crucial running in a sprint weekend where every minute counts.
A tricky session before the sprint verdict
Beyond the hierarchy, this session was mainly marked by a track still very slippery. Many drivers were caught out by track limits, especially in the last sector, a sign of a still “green” and difficult-to-master circuit.
Conditions should remain dry for the rest of the weekend, although the threat of rain still looms over Sunday’s race.
Meanwhile, Ferrari has made a strong first statement, but nothing is decided yet. With tight gaps and constantly evolving cars, the sprint qualifying promises to be explosive.
Read more Helmut Marko makes a surprising statement about Max Verstappen
FP1 standings for the 2026 Miami GP F1:
