How To Watch The 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix This Weekend

how to watch the 2026 formula 1 miami grand prix this weekend, Image Formula 1

Image: Formula 1

2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix Storylines

The most immediate difference from the opening races comes from a set of mid-cycle technical adjustments to the hybrid systems.

The FIA has reduced the maximum energy recovery per lap from 8MJ to 7MJ, while increasing peak "superclip" deployment power to 350 kW. In practical terms, that should reduce the amount of time drivers spend harvesting energy at full throttle-something that produced some awkward visuals earlier in the year, with cars shedding as much as 50 km/h on straights while recharging.

There are also changes to energy deployment limits and boost modes, aimed at narrowing speed differentials between cars. That follows incidents like the one at Suzuka, where large closing speeds became a safety concern.

how to watch the 2026 formula 1 miami grand prix this weekend, Image Mercedes AMG

Image: Mercedes-AMG

Will Antonelli Still Be The Driver To Beat?

Kimi Antonelli, leading the championship, still takes a second to process. This is just his second year behind the wheel year. But Miami is where his rise really started. Last season, he stunned the paddock by taking Sprint pole and qualifying inside the top three-just 0.067 seconds off outright pole. It was the first sign that Mercedes had something special on its hands.

If there's a direct challenger, it remains George Russell. He opened the season with a win in Australia and added a Sprint victory in China, but results since then haven't matched that early pace. Even so, he was in contention in Japan before a safety car disrupted strategy.

Ferrari and McLaren remain within reach as well, but for now, Mercedes holds the most consistent package-and Antonelli has extracted the most from it.

how to watch the 2026 formula 1 miami grand prix this weekend, Image Formula 1

Image: Formula 1

Development Races On

McLaren is arriving with a heavily revised car. Team principal Andrea Stella has already described the update path as substantial, particularly on the aerodynamic side. McLaren showed signs of progress before the break, particularly in Suzuka. If the new package works as intended, Miami could again shift the balance among the front-running teams.

McLaren won't be alone in bringing updates.

The extended gap between races has given teams additional time to manufacture and validate parts, and Miami has historically been a logical point in the calendar to introduce larger upgrades.

Ferrari is expected to continue refining its rear wing concepts-internally nicknamed "Macarena" for its rotating elements-while Red Bull has been evaluating similar ideas in private testing. Whether those developments make it onto the cars this weekend remains to be seen, but both teams are unlikely to stand still.

With only one extended practice session, the challenge will be integrating those changes quickly. There won't be much time for correlation work or setup experimentation before cars are locked into competitive running.

how to watch the 2026 formula 1 miami grand prix this weekend, Image Cadillac F1

Image: Cadillac F1

America's Homecoming

Miami has become a showcase event, especially for American teams.

Haas arrives in its strongest position in years, sitting fourth in the Constructors' Championship. That alone changes expectations. A team that used to celebrate a single point now needs to deliver consistently-especially on home soil.

Then there's Cadillac. Still in the early stages of its F1 journey, the American squad gets its first true home race this weekend. Formula 2 joins the Miami bill for the first time, bringing drivers like Colton Herta-better known for his IndyCar career-into the support series spotlight. Herta will also get behind the wheel of an F1 car for the first time as he will get to turn laps in the Cadillac during FP1.

how to watch the 2026 formula 1 miami grand prix this weekend, Image Formula 1

Image: Formula 1

There's No Margin For Error

The Sprint format compresses everything.

One practice session-extended to 90 minutes this weekend-followed by Sprint Qualifying on Friday means teams will have minimal time to adapt to both regulatory changes and new parts. Mistakes tend to carry over the entire weekend.

After a month away, Miami could be where the shape of the 2026 season may start to come into focus-both in terms of outright performance and how well the sport has adapted to its own rulebook.

how to watch the 2026 formula 1 miami grand prix this weekend, Image Red Bull Content Pool

Image: Red Bull Content Pool

2026 Formula 1 Calendar

March 5-7: Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix

March 12-15: Heineken Chinese Grand Prix

March 26-29: Aramco Japanese Grand Prix

May 1-3: Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix

May 22-24: Lenovo Canadian Grand Prix

June 5-7: Monaco Grand Prix

June 12-14: MSC Cruises Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix

June 26-28: Lenovo Austrian Grand Prix

July 3-5: Pirelli British Grand Prix

July 17-19: Belgian Grand Prix

July 24-26: AWS Hungarian Grand Prix

Aug. 21-23: Heineken Dutch Grand Prix

Sep. 4-6: Pirelli Italian Grand Prix

Sep. 11-13: Tag Heuer Spanish Grand Prix

Sep. 24-26: Qatar Airways Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Oct. 9-11: Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix

Oct. 23-25: MSC Cruises United States Grand Prix

Oct. 30-Nov. 1: Mexico City Grand Prix

Nov. 6-8: MSC Cruises São Paulo Grand Prix

Nov. 19-21: Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix

Nov. 27-29: Qatar Airways Qatar Grand Prix

Dec. 4-6: Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

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