NEED TO KNOW
The 2026 Formulation 1 Miami Grand Prix takes place from Friday, Could 1 to Sunday, Could 3
There is a numerous group of drivers to look at, from rising newcomers to F1 legends
The Miami Grand Prix picks up after a five-week, 35-day hiatus from competitors
The countdown to the is on!
Whereas it may be exhausting to catch them as they whiz across the 3.36-mile Miami Worldwide Autodrome monitor at upwards of 200 to 205 mph, make sure you hold your eyes out for these F1 drivers on Sunday, Could 3.
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The Miami Grand Prix is an thrilling one for numerous causes—this yr, particularly. Along with the star-studded attendees, who’re anticipated to swarm the sports activities scene very like years previous, this race marks a long-awaited return from a five-week, 35-day hiatus from competitors.
Previous to the break within the F1 schedule, which paused as a consequence of cancelations of the Bahrain Grand Prix (April 12) and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (April 19) as a consequence of ongoing safety considerations within the Center East, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes received the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on March 29.
The victory was a monumental one for the 19-year-old Italian driver, who grew to become the youngest driver to steer the Formulation One World Championship. The occasion at Suzuka Worldwide Racing Course marked his second consecutive pole and victory.
Heading into the Miami Grand Prix, which consists of 57 laps across the monitor, and options 12 left-hand turns and 7 right-hand turns, Antonelli leads the F1 Drivers’ Championship with 72 factors, adopted carefully by Mercedes teammate George Russell with 63 factors.
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Now, learn on for the F1 drivers to look at in Miami.
Kimi Antonelli
Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks within the paddock throughout previews forward of the F1 Grand Prix of MiamiCredit: Kym Illman/Getty
All eyes are on the 19-year-old Antonelli, who’s on a history-making profitable streak with two consecutive victories on the Chinese language Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix. In consequence, the Italian, in his second F1 season, is the youngest driver in Formulation 1 historical past to steer the World Championship.
Antonelli just lately opened up about feeling extra assured this time round, noting he feels “stronger” than he did his rookie season.
“I really feel extra in charge of the state of affairs. Clearly, having executed all of the tracks final yr, undoubtedly it is serving to this yr thus far. Additionally, having executed a race weekend additionally helps as a result of I do know higher what to anticipate,” Antonelli mentioned in an April interview, per .
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“I do know higher the right way to transfer round, the right way to handle myself through the weekend,” he mentioned. “Undoubtedly, the expertise of final yr is taking part in a large position into this yr thus far. I simply really feel extra relaxed, extra assured. For certain, this may even assist in these tracks the place final yr I struggled rather a lot.”
The rising Italian star, who joins Mercedes’ new period after Lewis Hamilton’s departure, asserted his dominance simply two races into the season. Now, the hungry driver is trying to go full velocity forward towards one other victory.
“The aim prepared for Miami is to be again from the place we left in Japan, and even be again even stronger from the place we left,” he mentioned.
Lewis Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton arrives within the paddock forward of the F1 Miami Grand PrixCredit: Hector Vivas – Formulation 1/Formulation 1 by way of Getty
is all the time one to look at as a seven-time world champion in Formulation 1. Now behind the wheel for Ferrari, the British driver is chasing a daring comeback after a troublesome 2025 season, which he known as the “worst” of his storied profession.
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Hamilton secured his on March 15, ending third on the Chinese language Grand Prix. The victory additionally doubled as his first win since switching groups to Ferrari after 12 years with Mercedes.
“To see them hear and put a few of these issues that I’d requested for on the automotive — I’m simply extremely grateful to them for listening on that facet of issues,” Hamilton advised reporters after the race, per the . “It simply makes you are feeling extra united with everybody since you’re shifting in the identical route.”
Hamilton, who holds the report for probably the most Formulation 1 World Drivers’ Championships with Michael Schumacher, has been vocal about his disappointing yr final season, which included his first-ever final place end on the Las Vegas Grand Prix.
The 41-year-old driver was despondent when talking with the press after the race in November 2025.
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“It has been the worst season ever. Regardless of how a lot I strive it retains getting worse,” , in accordance with ESPN.
Hamilton enters the Miami Grand Prix in fourth place within the drivers’ standings. Though he is by no means stood on the high of the rostrum at this cease, having a record-breaking 105 Grand Prix victories to his title retains Ferrari followers extremely optimistic.
Max Verstappen
Max Verstappen steps out on the paddock forward of the 2026 Miami Grand PrixCredit: Clive Mason/Getty
Can Max Verstappen actually be stopped? The Dutch driver is adapting to Purple Bull Racing’s new Ford Powertrain, however his confidence and ruthless consistency guarantee it poses no impediment for the four-time F1 titleholder.
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When the Miami race was added to the calendar in 2022, Verstappen secured back-to-back victories. The 28-year-old received the debut Grand Prix and defended his title in 2023. He’s the one driver to have received this race greater than as soon as as of the tip of the 2025 season.
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Nevertheless, Verstappen has been open concerning the ongoing challenges he is going through along with his automotive this season, and weighed his along with his household. He and longtime girlfriend grew to become first-time mother and father to  final April.
Verstappen has been shifting at full velocity since making his Formulation 1 debut in 2015 on the age of 17. Shortly after, he grew to become the youngest driver to win a race on the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix when he was 18 years, seven months outdated.
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Heading into the Miami Grand Prix, Verstappen is ranked ninth amongst drivers this season with 12 factors. If there’s one factor that makes the Dutch phenom an thrilling driver to look at, it is his skill to execute comebacks and end the place it issues most — on the entrance.
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