The Formula 1 circuit is set to return to Miami this week for the initial American event of the current season, and it would be understandable if the numerous developments and outcomes of the 2026 campaign thus far were not entirely fresh in your memory.
We’ve witnessed a new, younger driver take the lead in the championship standings, a competitor with four previous titles appears to be contemplating an exit, and the sport’s regulations and on-track action have been central to the narratives unfolding.
The Miami Grand Prix, occurring after an extended five-week hiatus due to the cancellations of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, is now the primary focus. The anticipation is high to observe whether Mercedes’ competitors have successfully closed the gap, with additional curiosity surrounding rule adjustments that could influence competitive dynamics.
Here, ESPN provides a review of the outcomes from the initial three races of the 2026 season and offers insights into what to anticipate as the event approaches Miami Gardens.
Australian Grand Prix
Before arriving in Australia, there was considerable conjecture that Mercedes would emerge as the team to observe this season, a prediction they substantiated when George Russell decisively led the field during qualifying.
The inaugural race of any season invariably brings excitement, but few would have anticipated the four-time world champion Max Verstappen’s early exit from qualifying due to a crash in the first segment.
Even before the main event commenced, Oscar Piastri of McLaren suffered an incident en route to the starting grid, resulting in his immediate withdrawal.
During the race itself, Charles Leclerc from Ferrari launched spectacularly from the start, leaving Russell behind, though the two engaged in a back-and-forth contest for the initial ten laps. Max Verstappen of Red Bull, despite starting from the rear, managed to advance to a sixth-place finish.
Russell eventually reclaimed the leading position after making a pit stop under virtual safety car conditions and skillfully managed his tires until the conclusion of the race.
Top five:
1) George Russell
2) Kimi Antonelli
3) Charles Leclerc
4) Lewis Hamilton
5) Lando Norris
Chinese Grand Prix
A week later in China, a similar outcome unfolded as Mercedes secured a one-two finish, with Russell claiming pole position and Kimi Antonelli following. The reigning world champion Lando Norris finished third, with Lewis Hamilton in fourth place.
For the main race, attention was keenly focused on Hamilton’s Ferrari to see if he could overtake the cars ahead at the start. This indeed transpired, as Leclerc, who began in fourth, joined his teammate as they navigated the first turn.
The Shanghai circuit, characterized by its extensive straight sections, proved advantageous for the Silver Arrows, a benefit that became evident almost immediately when both Antonelli and Russell executed overtakes to firmly establish themselves in the first and second positions.
The contest for third place unfolded between the two Ferraris, who delivered compelling racing action in this new era of vehicles, which Hamilton later described as “among the most enjoyable races of his career.”
Antonelli maintained his lead to clinch his inaugural F1 victory, a moment marked by considerable emotion for the young driver.
Conversely, it was a dismal event for the reigning constructors’ champions McLaren, who identified issues with both Norris’ and Piastri’s cars, leading to their non-participation in the race.
Top five:
1) Kimi Antonelli
2) George Russell
3) Lewis Hamilton
4) Charles Leclerc
5) Oliver Bearman
Japanese Grand Prix
Antonelli sustained his impressive performance by securing pole position for his Mercedes at Suzuka, with Russell qualifying second and Piastri third.
McLaren finally experienced a more favorable day as Piastri executed a robust start from third to seize the lead, capitalizing on Mercedes’ consistent struggle with rapid race starts.
The Australian driver performed with characteristic composure and sustained his lead until he entered the pits for new tires. Russell then moved into the lead before making his own pit stop shortly thereafter.
Most of the leading drivers had already completed their pit stops, with Antonelli being an exception. Shortly after, Haas’s Oliver Bearman suffered a severe 50G impact crash, which necessitated the deployment of the safety car.
Antonelli was subsequently directed into the pits to take advantage of the reduced pit-stop duration, an action that ultimately allowed him to retain his leading position.
Mercedes’ formidable initial performance has propelled them to the top of the constructors’ championship, establishing a 45-point advantage over Ferrari heading into the fourth event.
Top five:
1) Kimi Antonelli
2) George Russell
3) Charles Leclerc
4) Lewis Hamilton
5) Lando Norris
What to expect in Miami?
Mercedes is anticipated to remain the leading contender, but it will be crucial to monitor McLaren and Red Bull to observe if these teams have discovered methods to enhance their cars’ performance.
Andrea Stella, McLaren’s team principal, has stated that for the Miami event and the subsequent Canadian race later this month, the objective is to “introduce an entirely new vehicle, particularly concerning aerodynamic improvements.”
Ferrari and Red Bull have conducted testing sessions before traveling to Miami. Speculation suggests Ferrari will introduce its “Macarena” wing, and Red Bull is expected to follow suit, having been observed testing its own variant of the innovative wing.
The competition among the midfield teams was intense in the initial races, and this is likely to persist. Alpine, Haas, and Racing Bulls are the teams to closely watch.
Finally, Aston Martin will be aiming simply to complete races and accumulate laps to gather as much data as possible. Their season began poorly, marked by significant car reliability issues, battery failures, and power unit vibrations, which prevented both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll from finishing a race until Alonso successfully did so in Japan.
Miami Grand Prix schedule
All times in BST
Friday, May 1
Practice One: 5 p.m. – 6.30 p.m.
Sprint Qualifying: 9.30 p.m. – 10.14 p.m.
Saturday, May 2
Sprint: 5 p.m. – 6 p.m.
Qualifying: 9 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Sunday, May 3
The Miami Grand Prix: 9 p.m.
How to watch
Sky Sports maintains exclusive F1 broadcasting rights in the UK for 2026, with all sessions available live on Sky Sports F1. The Miami sessions will also be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
For individuals without a subscription, highlights of the Miami Grand Prix will be accessible on free-to-air television via Channel 4.
In the U.S., subscribers can access every session through Apple TV, utilizing a newly launched F1 channel on the platform.
