Kimi Antonelli has claimed his third consecutive victory of the season at the Miami Grand Prix, and with it comes a question that Mercedes would probably prefer to stay in the background: where exactly does that leave George Russell?

Russell won the season opener before Antonelli ran off three straight wins, leaving the Italian 20 points clear of his teammate just four races in. And while Briton has entered the season as the betting-odds favourite to win the title, it has now swung in his team-mate direction.

Russell’s Contract Situation Invites Questions

It has been suggested that Russell may have to win the 2026 drivers‘ title to trigger a one-year option to extend his contract with Mercedes, though Russell’s own comments suggest the clause could be more favourable in his direction than simply winning the championship outright.

Russell himself has told the media: “I will be here next year with the team and that’s that,” describing it as “a multi-year deal” and adding that “even if metrics aren’t hit, if things are happy then you continue.”

That’s a confident face to put on a situation that is, by any honest read, performance-contingent.

Juan Pablo Montoya isn’t buying his composure. Speaking on the F1: Checkered Flag Podcast alongside 1996 world champion Damon Hill, Montoya argued the contract structure itself is the problem:

“Maybe by just getting a one-year deal. His mindset is in the wrong place because when they give you a one-year deal, they’re telling you, ‘We’re going to extend you, but we’re not sure about you.'”

Hill was a bit sharper on the subject. He raised the question of whether Russell’s standing at Mercedes has quietly changed now that Antonelli is here: “I think this whole business with the contract – remember it dragged on and Toto was kind of like playing with him a little bit and you want to go come on, you know, excuse me but I am doing the job.”

“Is it a case of him not being the favorite child anymore because he was sort of being groomed at Williams to replace Bottas, got the gig and then the competitive wasn’t there and now Antonelli’s here?” Harry Benjamin asked.

Montoya’s response cut to it: “Yeah. But the reality of it is you have Max Verstappen the little diamond in this, you know, in the sky that everybody wants.”

The Verstappen Factor Isn’t Going Away

Verstappen could get the option to leave Red Bull at the end of 2026 if he sits outside the top two in the standings at the summer break, with a window from August to October to trigger his release clause, and Red Bull’s early difficulties this season make it increasingly likely he’ll have a decision to make.

It has since been said that Toto Wolff is almost certain to target Verstappen again. Russell is contracted to remain at Mercedes until at least the end of the 2026 season.

If Verstappen becomes available mid-season and Antonelli continues winning races, the internal calculus at Brackley shifts considerably. Russell’s best argument for staying is a championship challenge. Right now, his teammate is conducting one without him.

Max Verstappen may continue to follow in his father’s footsteps after Formula 1 – as he joked about being ready for rally after his 360-degree spin at the start of the Miami Grand Prix.

Verstappen was battling for the lead with Charles Leclerc exiting the first corner when he uncharacteristically spun under acceleration at Turn 2, creating a dramatic start to the Miami GP.

The four-time F1 world champion skilfully got his Red Bull car back under control after a 360-degree spin, with the pack sprawled behind him, as he avoided any lasting damage.

Verstappen, whose father Jos transitioned into rallying after his career in single-seaters and suffered a heavy crash in a rally in Belgium the weekend before Miami, felt the save was more rally than F1, but was pleased to avoid hitting the wall.

“I lost the rear in Turn 2 and then of course I tried to minimise the time loss by doing a 360,” Verstappen said. “Yeah, I thought I was going to crash but then I floored it, so I managed to do a good 360. If F1 doesn't work out I can always go rally!”

Attacking the apex of Turn 2, Leclerc closed the line on Verstappen and the two came inches away from contact, but the Red Bull driver had no complaints over Leclerc’s move as he held his hands up over the spin.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

“We just pushed into the corner but I just lost suddenly the rear,” he said. “It just started to slide and once it goes, with heavy fuel, it's hard to catch.”

After the spin Verstappen dropped to the lower reaches of the top 10, which forced him into the “jungle” of the midfield fight, pulling off some feisty moves against Williams pair Alex Albon and Carlos Sainz.

Having switched on to the hard tyres during the safety car, Verstappen was ultimately powerless to stop the frontrunners coming by on fresher tyres during the second stint, but took fifth place after Leclerc’s own spin on the last lap.

“I think the pace was not too bad on the medium but as soon as I swapped to the hard compound it was just a lot more difficult,” Verstappen said. “I think now after the race it's easy to say of course but I think that stint was just a bit too long.”

Verstappen also picked up a post-race five-second penalty for crossing the white line at the pitlane exit, but it didn’t impact his final result of fifth place given Leclerc’s 20s penalty for cutting corners in his damaged Ferrari on the final lap.

Read Also: Max Verstappen given penalty for crossing pit exit at F1 Miami GP Charles Leclerc handed huge Miami GP penalty after battle with Max Verstappen and George Russell

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The fifth edition of the Miami Grand Prix gave Formula 1 another chaotic and competitive weekend around Hard Rock Stadium. The race started three hours earlier than planned because of weather concerns, but the change did not reduce the action on track. Kimi Antonelli turned pole position into another victory, even after losing the lead on the opening lap, while early incidents involving Pierre Gasly and Isack Hadjar reshuffled the field. The result was a race that produced clear winners, painful losers, and another strong reminder that Miami has become one of the calendar’s most unpredictable stops.

Antonelli’s win stood out because it was built on control rather than a perfect start. The Mercedes driver again struggled off the line, but he recovered with a strong strategy call and held off pressure from Lando Norris to win. That made it his third straight Grand Prix victory from pole, a rare sequence in Formula 1 history. McLaren also left Miami with real momentum after Norris and Oscar Piastri both finished on the podium, while Williams, Alpine, and even the broader championship picture all found reasons to leave encouraged. On the other side, Ferrari, Red Bull’s second seat, Audi, Aston Martin, and George Russell all had weekends that exposed problems they still need to solve. Miami was not just a race winner’s story. It was also a weekend that showed which teams are building form and which ones are still fighting for answers.

MORE: How to live stream Jack Link’s 500: NASCAR, TV channel

Winner of the Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Kimi Antonelli won the Miami Grand Prix and extended his championship lead to 20 points. He started from pole, lost the lead early, and still recovered to finish first by using a strong undercut and clean race management. The Mercedes driver became only the third racer to win his first three Grands Prix consecutively, joining Damon Hill and Mika Hakkinen. That makes his Miami result another major milestone in a sophomore season that is starting to look like a title fight.

Antonelli also showed more maturity under pressure, especially with Lando Norris close behind in the final stint. He said, “I think I feel much more comfortable in the car, much more in control as well.” His pace and composure gave Mercedes another clear win. Even with the start issues, he is proving he can still deliver when the race gets tense.

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Franco Colapinto had his best weekend in Formula 1 so far. He qualified eighth, beat teammate Pierre Gasly for the first time this season, and finished seventh after Leclerc’s penalty promoted him one place. For Alpine, that was a strong sign that the upgrades may have worked and that the team can fight in the midfield.

Colapinto drove a clean race and avoided the mistakes that hurt several others around him. He made the most of Alpine’s improved pace and a lighter chassis. It was also a confidence-building result for a driver who has faced criticism since replacing Jack Doohan. The weekend gave Alpine proof that progress is possible when both pace and execution come together.

Lando Norris, McLaren

Lando Norris left Miami with a win in the Sprint and second place in the Grand Prix. That was a strong return for McLaren, especially because both drivers stayed in the podium fight across the weekend. Norris also pushed Antonelli hard in the closing stages and kept the pressure on until the flag. The result helped McLaren strengthen its position in the championship and close the gap to Ferrari.

Even so, his pace and consistency showed that McLaren’s upgrade package is working. With Oscar Piastri also on the podium, the team left Miami with a clear step forward. It was not the victory Norris wanted, but it was still a major positive.

Losers of the Miami Grand Prix

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Charles Leclerc had one of the most frustrating Sundays of the race. He started strong, took the lead on lap one, and then lost ground after another slow Ferrari pit stop. He still fought back into third before a final-lap spin damaged his race completely. After the stewards gave him a 20-second penalty, he dropped from sixth to eighth in the final classification.

Leclerc said after the race, per SI, “I’m very disappointed with myself, it’s all on me.” That was a harsh end to a race that had once looked like it could produce a podium. Ferrari’s car showed some pace, but the execution again let the team down. If the team wants to stay in the title picture, it needs cleaner stops and fewer self-inflicted errors.

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull

Isack Hadjar’s Miami weekend ended in another early exit. He crashed into the wall at Turn 14 and finished the race as a retirement, adding to a difficult start to life alongside Max Verstappen. The Red Bull driver had already been off the pace in qualifying and sprint qualifying, and the race only confirmed how much work he still has to do. His crash also removed any chance of a useful result.

Hadjar admitted the mistake was his own, and the emotion was visible after the incident. His season has brought only four points from six scoring chances, which is not enough for a Red Bull seat under normal standards. The team will be hoping this is a learning weekend rather than a pattern. For now, the gap to Verstappen remains a major concern.

Aston Martin and Cadillac

Aston Martin and Cadillac both left Miami with more questions than answers. Aston Martin’s best result came from Fernando Alonso in 15th, while Lance Stroll finished 17th in both the sprint and the Grand Prix. Cadillac was more reliable, but both cars still finished outside the points in 16th and 18th. For teams at the back, that is not enough when others are making clear progress.

The future aspect is simple: both teams need more pace before the season slips away from them. Cadillac in particular is still early in its project, but slow progress will not help build momentum. Aston Martin, meanwhile, needs a stronger response after another flat weekend. The data from Miami may help, but the results do not.

George Russell, Mercedes

George Russell came into the season with championship expectations, but Miami was another weekend where he trailed Antonelli. He qualified and raced well behind his teammate, and the gap was clear throughout the event. Russell did recover to fourth after Leclerc’s late problems, but he was never a real threat to the win. That is a concern because Mercedes expects both cars to challenge at the front.

Russell’s problem is not one race, but a pattern. Antonelli has now beaten him in every Grand Prix qualifying and race since Australia. The Miami result made the gap in the standings even harder to ignore. He will need a stronger response in Canada if he wants to stay close in the title fight.

Audi, especially Nico Hulkenberg

Audi had a weekend full of reliability problems and no points to show for it. Nico Hulkenberg’s car suffered issues across the weekend, including a first-lap retirement in the Grand Prix after a fire in the sprint and more trouble in qualifying. Gabriel Bortoleto also had a rough weekend, finishing outside the points despite a better Grand Prix result than qualifying suggested. The team is still learning, but the losses are piling up.

Hulkenberg called it a “proper character building weekend,” which fits the overall picture. Audi says it is playing the long game, but long-term plans still need cleaner race weekends. If the team cannot finish sessions and races, it cannot make real progress. Miami showed the work still ahead.

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Conclusion

Miami delivered a race full of movement, mistakes, and momentum shifts. Antonelli proved again that he can handle pressure, McLaren made a clear step forward, and Colapinto gained real confidence. At the same time, Ferrari, Red Bull’s second seat, Audi, and others left with unfinished work. The season is still open, and Canada now offers the next chance to change the story.

The first weekend in Formula 1 went almost like a fairy tale for Audi. Gabriel Bortoleto managed to break into Q3 right away in qualifying and immediately bagged the first points with a ninth-place finish in the race – all under the watchful eyes of CEO Gernot Dollner.

Dollner had travelled all the way to Melbourne, despite having to attend a Volkswagen Group supervisory board meeting on Friday – meaning he spent more time in the air than on the ground with his new premium product.

But it was worth it: Audi celebrated its first points, and upon his return to Ingolstadt, Dollner didn't miss the chance to speak to the employees at the Audi plant about the significance of the Formula 1 programme for the brand.

Audi seemed to have arrived.

Two months later, however, one has to admit: those two points from Melbourne remain the manufacturer's only highlight of the Formula 1 season so far.

Positive headlines the corporation can actually sell? Nowhere to be found.

A stricken Audi is an all too familiar sight

Instead, it abruptly lost its team principal, Jonathan Wheatley, the man who was supposed to lead the brand into this new era. On top of that, there are numerous technical issues that are more reminiscent of the mockingly titled "Silver Torches" of McLaren’s 2004 season.

At least Audi’s cars are silver, too. And as for how to throw a proper American barbecue – we got to see plenty of that from the R26s of Nico Hulkenberg and Bortoleto in Miami.

Let’s be honest: the fact that in half of the (sprint) races this season, only one Audi was even able to make the start, simply doesn't fit the self-image of a major manufacturer.

Hulkenberg missed the season opener in Australia, Bortoleto missed the next race in China, and now it was Hulkenberg again who couldn't take part in the Miami sprint because his car went up in smoke on the way to the grid.

By the way, Audi likes to refer to such incidents as "technical issues" without really making an effort to provide clarity – at least that’s my impression. While other teams usually provide information via X or WhatsApp distribution lists about what went wrong, Audi remains tight-lipped.

Of course, the team must be allowed to find the cause before releasing information, but even two weeks after his DNS in Australia, all we heard from Hulkenberg was: "No, I can't say anything more about that. No details, sorry."

Gabriel Bortoleto was disqualified from the Miami sprint race

But back to Miami, because we haven't even hit rock bottom yet: besides Hulkenberg, who couldn't participate in the sprint, there was also Bortoleto, who managed to bring his R26 to the finish line – only to be disqualified after the session.

The reason: the engine intake air pressure exceeded the prescribed limit of 4.8 barA. Admittedly, that’s creative, that’s new. "I’ve rarely heard of that mistake," remarked Sky expert Timo Glock, looking quite stunned.

And yet, in Mattia Binotto, Audi has an experienced engine engineer as project leader – a man who, given the frequent breakdowns and the recent unrest at the top of the team, is surely anything but well-rested right now.

Audi has definitely filled its bingo card of mishaps in the sprint. The results for the two short races so far read: 1x DNS, 1x DNF, 1x DSQ – only Hans Heyer did it better, and he only needed one race for that. The only countable result was Bortoleto's 13th place in China.

But for anyone who thought a DNS and a DSQ were enough for one day: think again!

For a long time, it was uncertain whether Bortoleto would be able to participate in qualifying afterwards. The Brazilian had a gearbox problem, and the men and women in the garage had a mountain of work.

Mattia Binotto has a lot of work ahead of him

Double praise here: Audi actually communicated what the problem was and got the car back on track in time. However, it wasn't enough for Bortoleto to set a competitive time – and on the cool-down lap, his car ground to a halt again and caught fire. The second barbecue of the day. And they say we don't give the Americans a show!

At least Hulkenberg had a good starting position for Sunday: thanks to Isack Hadjar’s disqualification, the German was allowed to start from the top 10. But already in the first lap, he suffered front wing damage and had to pit for a change. A few laps later, he parked the car in the garage (Reason: "technical issue").

Binotto still has a lot of work ahead of him at Audi. Six retirements, non-participations, or disqualifications in as many sprint and grand prix races is hardly a badge of honour.

Of course, Audi has to find its feet in Formula 1 first, but even total newcomers Cadillac only has two retirements on its list.

And, careful, now it gets really bitter: Aston Martin has managed more finishes this season than Audi. I’ll just leave that there (and Audi knows a thing or two about being left standing).

Naturally, Audi much prefers the fact that at least the pace is there. And you can’t argue with that. Unlike Cadillac and Aston Martin, it at least has a shot at points. Reliability is something that can be worked on, so that eventually it can reap the rewards instead of leaving the basket behind before they even start.

Read Also: Winners and losers from F1's eventful Miami Grand Prix How Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes defeated Lando Norris and McLaren in Miami's F1 thriller F1 Miami GP: Kimi Antonelli defeats Lando Norris to grab hard-fought win

Maybe someone should buy Dollner a flight ticket to Montreal already. Then things might just click again.

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Football legend Lionel Messi congratulated Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes hospitality unit after his Miami Grand Prix triumph.

The Italian driver delivered another strong performance around the Miami International Autodrome, converting his third pole position of the 2026 Formula 1 season into his third win.

Mercedes shared a video of the 19-year-old back with the team as he recovered from the grand prix. "It was tough. So hot. So humid," he told the camera. "Oh, it was intense. At some points, I looked at the screen when I was on hard, I saw 20 laps left. I was like, 'No, I just want this race to be over'.

"I was like, 'Please, please, just be over, please be over quickly.'"

As he made his way back through the hospitality unit, Antonelli was met with cheers. Messi, who was a guest of the Brackley outfit with his family, approached the driver to congratulate him. 

"Little Kimi making Messi smile, a rare sight," one fan commented on the video, while another added: "How much talent and humility together... You can't help but feel happy that Kimi wins."

Miami magic. An unforgettable day 🤩 pic.twitter.com/vWQ83VQq1s

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) May 3, 2026

Antonelli extended his lead in the drivers' championship at the Miami Grand Prix. After just four rounds of the season, he now has a 20-point lead over his Mercedes team-mate George Russell. He has also become the first driver to convert his first three pole positions into wins.

"This is just the beginning. The road is still long. We are working super hard and the team is doing an incredible job," Antonelli said after the race.

"Without them, I wouldn't be here, so thanks to them and my family. I'm going to enjoy this one then get back to work."

The next race is the Canadian Grand Prix on 22-24 May.

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Nineteen-year-old Kimi Antonelli delivered a masterful performance at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, securing a spectacular victory for Mercedes. Starting from pole position, the Italian teenager expertly controlled the pace of the race from lights out to the checkered flag, ultimately crossing the finish line to extend his lead in the World Championship.

The weekend in Florida also cemented Antonelli’s name in the Formula 1 history books. By taking the win, he became the first driver ever to win his first three Grands Prix from pole position in a row. It was a flawless display of driving that firmly established the young talent not just as a rising star, but as one of the sport’s most formidable current competitors.

Miami Gardens
Race — Miami | 22 drivers Pos Driver Team Tyre Best Last Gap Int Status 1 Kimi ANTONELLIANT #12FL1:33.092MercedesH 1:33.092 1:33.092 LEADER — — 2 Lando NORRISNOR #1McLarenH 1:33.474 1:33.474 3.264 3.264 — 3 Oscar PIASTRIPIA #81McLarenH 1:33.237 1:33.237 27.092 23.828 — 4 George RUSSELLRUS #63MercedesH 1:34.542 1:34.542 43.051 15.959 — 5 Max VERSTAPPENVER #3Red Bull RacingH 1:34.614 1:34.614 43.949 0.898 — 6 Charles LECLERCLEC #16FerrariH 1:49.834 1:49.834 44.245 0.296 — 7 Lewis HAMILTONHAM #44FerrariH 1:34.950 1:34.950 53.753 9.508 — 8 Franco COLAPINTOCOL #43AlpineH 1:33.148 1:33.148 61.871 8.118 — 9 Carlos SAINZSAI #55WilliamsH 1:34.555 1:34.555 82.072 20.201 — 10 Alexander ALBONALB #23WilliamsH 1:34.298 1:34.298 90.97200000000001 8.9 — 11 Oliver BEARMANBEA #87Haas F1 TeamH 1:34.514 1:34.514 +1 LAP 9.726 — 12 Gabriel BORTOLETOBOR #5AudiH 1:34.088 1:34.088 +1 LAP 2.953 — 13 Esteban OCONOCO #31Haas F1 TeamH 1:34.407 1:34.407 +1 LAP 4.52 — 14 Arvid LINDBLADLIN #41Racing BullsH 1:44.942 1:44.942 +1 LAP 30.908 — 15 Fernando ALONSOALO #14Aston MartinS 1:35.246 1:35.246 +1 LAP 30.183 — 16 Sergio PEREZPER #11CadillacH 1:35.250 1:35.250 +1 LAP 2.549 — 17 Lance STROLLSTR #18Aston MartinS 1:34.716 1:34.716 +1 LAP 5.118 — 18 Valtteri BOTTASBOT #77CadillacM 1:39.984 1:39.984 +2 LAPS 80.34 — 19 Nico HULKENBERGHUL #27AudiM — — 93.337 61.043 — 20 Liam LAWSONLAW #30Racing BullsM — — 66.899 31.901 — 21 Pierre GASLYGAS #10AlpineM — — 15.465 0.523 — 22 Isack HADJARHAD #6Red Bull RacingH — — +3 LAPS 456.895 —

Charles Leclerc has been handed a 20-second post-race time penalty for a last-lap incident at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix.

Leclerc suffered a high-speed spin on the final lap of the Miami race, avoiding a huge accident but still suffering front-left car damage after tapping the Turn 3 wall.

As a result Leclerc lost a podium finish to Oscar Piastri, and he then desperately attempted to fend off Mercedes' George Russell and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.

But because he suffered steering arm damage Leclerc cut several corners and pushed the lapped car of Arvid Lindblad out of the way. He also made slight contact with Russell at the hairpin as he lost places to both the Mercedes man and Verstappen at the line.

After the race the FIA race stewards investigated the contact with Russell as well as Leclerc allegedly leaving the track and gaining an advantage. Leclerc was handed a drive-through penalty for the latter, which was converted into a 20-second penalty post-race.

As a result Leclerc drops to down to eighth behind team-mate Lewis Hamilton and Alpine's Franco Colapinto, who nets his best-ever grand prix result as a result.

More to follow

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The stewards at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix have handed Charles Leclerc a 20-second post-race time penalty, ruling that the mechanical damage his Ferrari sustained on the final lap did not justify the multiple occasions he left the track and gained an advantage.

After glancing the left-hand side of his Ferrari against the wall on the last lap, Leclerc was left unable to negotiate right-hand corners properly and ultimately finished sixth, costing himself what he acknowledged would have been third or fourth place.

The stewards’ document, issued at 17:21 local time on May 3, confirms that Leclerc’s car spun at Turn 3 on the final tour, hit the wall, and continued. According to the ruling, Leclerc himself reported to the stewards that the damage forced him to cut chicanes rather than negotiate them normally. The stewards’ conclusion was that the mechanical condition was not sufficient justification for repeatedly leaving the circuit and benefiting from it, in breach of Article B1.8.6 of the FIA F1 Regulations.

The penalty is a drive-through converted to 20 seconds added to his elapsed race time.

A five-second penalty would not have changed his classified position, but the 20-second sanction is enough to drop him below Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton into eighth.

The Stewards Considered the Unsafe Car Question Too

The document also reveals the stewards examined whether continuing to race with a mechanically compromised car constituted a separate offence in its own right. They found no evidence to support that charge, so no additional penalty was applied on those grounds. It was a narrow escape on that front. Three separate post-race investigations had been opened against Leclerc, covering the track limits breach, the unsafe car question, and an allegation of causing a collision with George Russell.

Leclerc himself had already been forthright after the flag, telling media he had put “a very strong race in the bin” in the space of four corners.

“It’s all on me. I don’t have much to add other than that. Very disappointed with my mistake. It shouldn’t happen.

“I pushed very hard in the second-to-last lap. I thought I was a good idea to let Oscar go for me to get the Overtake. I knew it was going to be very difficult to get in front otherwise.

“It was a very poor decision and in the space of four corners I put a very strong race in the bin. I am very frustrated about that. Not much more to say.”

Kimi Antonelli took the race win for Mercedes, with Lando Norris second and Oscar Piastri third, the entire 57-lap contest completing without rain disruption after the start was brought forward to avoid incoming storms.

Antonelli’s third consecutive victory from his first three race weekends of the season is the story of this championship right now. For Leclerc, Miami is a race that will be filed under “what could have been” for a very long time.

Bu gün Formula 1 üzrə dünya çempionatında 2026-cı il mövsümünün növbəti mərhələsi – 4-cü qran-prisi baş tutub.

Arena.az xəbər verir ki, budəfəki yarış Mayami (ABŞ, Florida) şəhərində təşkil olunub.

Bundan əvvəlki Yaponiya və Çin qran-prilərində olduğu kimi, Mayami qran-prisində də “Mersedes”in gənc pilotu Kimi Antonelli qalib olub. 19 yaşlı italiyalı sürücü 57 dövrəlik yarışda üstünlüyünü sonadək qoruyaraq zəfərini rəsmiləşdirib. Bu, onun həm cari mövsümdə, həm də karyerası ərzində 3-cü zəfərdir.

İkinci yeri “Maklaren”in sürücüsü Landro Norris tutub. İlk üçlüyü “Maklaren”in digər pilotu Oskar Piastri qapayıb.

Beləliklə, geridə qalmış 3 mərhələdən sonra Kimi Antonelli 100 xalla vahid liderdir. Antonellinin komanda yoldaşı Corc Rassel 80 xalla ikinci pillədə qərarlaşıb. “Ferrari”nin pilotu Şarl Lekler isə 63 xalla üçüncüdür.

Mühəndislər Kubokunda “Mersedes” 180 xalla ilk sırada qərarlaşıb. “Ferrari” 112 xalla ikinci, “Maklaren” isə 94 xalla üçüncü yerdə gedir.

Formula 1 üzrə dünya çempionatında 2026-cı il mövsümünün növbəti – 5-ci qran-prisi Kanadada keçiriləcək. Monrealda baş tutacaq bu yarış mayın 24-də təşkil olunacaq.

Formula 1 üzrə dünya çempionatı, 2026

Pilotların yarışında turnir cədvəli:

1. Kimi Antonelli (Mersedes) – 100
2. Corc Rassell (Mersedes) – 80
3. Şarl Lekler (Ferrari) – 63
4. Lando Norris (Maklaren) – 51
5. Luis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 49
6. Oskar Piastri (Maklaren) – 43
7. Maks Ferstappen (Red Bull) – 26
8. Oliver Berman (Haas) – 17
9. Pyer Qasli (Alpin) – 16
10. Liam Louson (Rasinq Bulls) – 10
11. Franko Kolapinto (Alpin) – 5
12. Arvid Linblad (Rasinq Bulls) – 4
13. İsaak Hacar (Red Bull) – 4
14. Karlos Sayns (Uilyams) – 4
15. Qabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 2
16. Esteban Okon (Haas) – 1
17. Aleksander Albon (Uilyams) – 0
18. Serxio Peres (Kadillak) – 0
19. Niko Hulkenberq (Audi) – 0
20. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 0
21. Valtteri Bottas (Kadillak) – 0
22. Lens Stroll (Aston Martin) – 0

Mühəndislər Kubokunda xal sıralaması:

1. Mersedes – 180
2. Ferrari – 112
3. Maklaren – 94
4. Red Bull – 30
5. Alpin – 21
6. Haas – 18
7. Rasinq Bulls – 14
8. Uilyams – 5
9. Audi – 2
10. Kadillak – 0
11. Aston Martin – 0

Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Miami Grand Prix, making it three consecutive victories to open his Formula 1 campaign. He also became the only driver in history to convert each of his first three consecutive pole positions into race wins, a stat that sits alongside Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, which is not bad company for a 19-year-old. Toto Wolff‘s response? Well he’s keen to keep things low key for his young driver and his upcoming upgrades.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the race, Wolff was careful not to let the moment run away with him.

“I hope he can continue on this positive slope. Most important is not to be carried away. We have a good car. Hopefully the upgrades work at the next race but he’s a fierce competitor and his team-mate also, who wasn’t happy with the track this weekend. Just important to keep both feet on the track.”

The Upgrade Gap Is Real, and Wolff Isn’t Pretending Otherwise

Mercedes arrived in Miami with little in the shape of upgrades unlike almost every other team on the grid. The sprint race was the first time this season the team failed to lock out the front row or place a car in the top three, while a highly updated McLaren finished first by the hands of Lando Norris.

George Russell was reportedly quite surprised to hear that Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull were all bringing major update packages as soon as Miami, with the Brackley outfit instead waiting for Canada to reveal their suite of changes.

“Sometimes upgrades don’t correlate with the stopwatch, so we need to prove that out,” he said, pouring cold water on the changes his team are bringing to Montreal. “I hope we can. And this is going to be a development race this season. How much can you bring? Are you limited by the cost cap? All of these things will play a role.”

Miami showed that McLaren has emerged as the closest challenger to Mercedes, with Ferrari having appeared the stronger threat at the start of the season. Whether the gamble of holding off changes brings dividends later in the season will be seen in the coming weeks and months.

Antonelli won in Miami despite a poor sprint, a bad race start, and a rival team arriving with a substantially updated car. It ultimately came down to a two-horse battle, but a strategy choice from the Silver Arrows ultimately helped Antonelli cross the line first.

Wolff’s instinct to stay modest suggests he sees a harder season coming than the standings currently imply. Three wins from four races, and he’s already talking like a man preparing for a fight.

Charles Leclerc‘s final lap at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix was not a tidy one. After clipping the wall and limping around with a damaged Ferrari, he lost fourth place to both George Russell and Max Verstappen in the closing moments. He now faces a stewards’ hearing that covers multiple alleged offences simultaneously.

The stewards confirmed they will investigate Leclerc for continuing to race in an unsafe condition.

On top of that, he is separately under scrutiny for making minor contact with Russell on the final lap and for leaving the track multiple times and allegedly gaining an advantage. That is three investigations from one chaotic last tour of the Miami International Autodrome.

Sky Sports F1‘s Martin Brundle wasn’t ready to throw Leclerc under the bus for any of it.

“He got it home didn’t he. He had four wheels on it, all pointing roughly in the right direction,” Brundle said. “You can’t just go ‘I bumped the wall, I will park it and get out of the way’. George Russell’s car was every bit as unsafe and he carried on.”

The Wider Stewards’ Queue Is Long

Leclerc isn’t the only one with explaining to do after Miami.

Russell has been noted for moving under braking, while the Russell-Verstappen contact in the latter stages of the race is also under investigation.

Verstappen is also under investigation for supposedly crossing the white line at the pit exit after his stop, a four-time world champion who had already spun on the opening lap and fallen down the order, with FIA officials set to take a closer look once they had more information from the full 57-lap race distance.

The Russell-Leclerc contact happened at Turn 17 on the last lap, the same corner where Russell then squeezed past to snatch fourth. Whether the stewards view Leclerc’s battered Ferrari as a genuine safety hazard or as a car that was damaged but still under reasonable control will be the core question. And Brundle’s point about Russell continuing in a similarly compromised state will be hard for the stewards to ignore when making that call.

Leclerc had hit the wall and was visibly limping around in those final laps, which is precisely why he became such easy prey at the end. The argument that a damaged car should always be parked is a reasonable one on paper. In practice, F1 drivers nurse battered machinery home regularly, and the line between “unsafe” and “damaged” has always been a judgment call. Sixth place 0 where Leclerc ultimately wound up – beats a retirement.

Whatever the stewards decide, the real headline from Miami still belongs to Kimi Antonelli, who won the race for Mercedes ahead of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. The rest was paperwork.

Liam Lawson has explained that he "lost the gearbox" before colliding with Pierre Gasly during the Miami Grand Prix.

While the Alpine driver attacked Williams' Alex Albon and fought off Lawson, the Racing Bulls driver lost control at Turn 17 and clipped the rear of Gasly. The nudge caused the Frenchman's car to flip before it crashed into the barriers. 

Fortunately, Gasly was OK, but both he and Lawson were out of the race. 

"Yeah, it sucks for both of us, obviously," Lawson told the media after the race. "I just went into the last corner, and when I braked, I lost the gearbox and I went to neutral.

"So I basically had no gears, and I couldn't stop, so it's not something I've had before. Obviously, it's quite a big issue for us and it's what meant we had to retire the car, but it's a shame because it's obviously taken out Pierre as well."

The incident came after a strong first lap for the New Zealander. He started 11th on the grid and was up into ninth by lap four.

"Yeah, we haven't really been quick enough this weekend and we had a good start," Lawson added.

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

"First lap was really, really good, made up a lot of places and was well inside the top 10 and fighting the balance a lot at the start of the race, which is why I was actually defending so that's quite frustrating and obviously a mechanical to take us out is disappointing. Hard luck."

Lawson currently sits 10th in the drivers' standings with 10 points, and Gasly is ninth with 16 points. 

Kimi Antonelli went on to win the Miami Grand Prix after starting from pole position. The Italian was joined on the podium by McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, who finished second and third, respectively.

Photos from Miami GP - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chandan Khanna / AFP / Getty Images

Rain at the Hard Rock Stadium

Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

George Russell, Mercedes

Brett Farmer / LAT Images via Getty Images

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Kym Illman / Getty Images

Lando Norris, McLaren

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Rafael Nadal and Jon Rahm visit the Aston Martin F1 Team garage.

Alex Bierens de Haan / LAT Images via Getty Images

Cam'ron with the Audi F1 Team R26 on the grid.

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Mark Thompson / Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hector Vivas / Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

George Russell, Mercedes, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Clive Mason / Getty Images

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

George Russell, Mercedes

James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Lando Norris, McLaren

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sona Maleterova / Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Rafael Nadal waves the checkered flag for Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Rebecca Blackwell / POOL / AFP via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrates after winning

CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Peter Fox / Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Mark Thompson / Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Hector Vivas / Formula 1 via Getty Images

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Red Bull's Max Verstappen, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and Mercedes man George Russell have all been summoned to the stewards at the end of Formula 1's Miami Grand Prix.

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli defeated McLaren's Lando Norris to take his third consecutive grand prix win, expanding his championship lead on Russell to 20 points.

Read Also: F1 Miami GP: Kimi Antonelli defeats Lando Norris to grab hard-fought win

Behind the duo and third-placed Oscar Piastri, the likes of Verstappen, Russell and Leclerc fought out a thrilling battle for fourth, with Russell ultimately prevailing.

But all three will have to report to the stewards for various potential infractions which could yet alter the end result.

Verstappen will have to report to the stewards for crossing the pit exit line after his only pitstop. A five-second time penalty would drop the Red Bull driver to sixth behind Leclerc.

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

But Leclerc is also under investigation for both leaving the track and gaining an advantage, and for continuing with a car in a potentially unsafe condition after he survived a scary spin in Turn 3 on the final lap. Leclerc avoided a huge accident as he lost control over his Ferrari but still tapped the wall on exit and appeared to damage the front-left steering arm.

The Monegasque driver then cut several corners as he slumped to sixth behind Russell and Verstappen. Leclerc will also be investigated for tagging Russell at the Turn 17 hairpin.

Finally, Russell is being looked at for making contact with Verstappen in their final lap battle, with the Red Bull driver reporting: "I think he hit my tyre" as he tried to survive on old hard tyres.

Photos from Miami GP - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chandan Khanna / AFP / Getty Images

Rain at the Hard Rock Stadium

Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

George Russell, Mercedes

Brett Farmer / LAT Images via Getty Images

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Guido De Bortoli / LAT Images via Getty Images

Frederic Vasseur, Ferrari

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Nico Hülkenberg, Audi F1 Team

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Kym Illman / Getty Images

Lando Norris, McLaren

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Rafael Nadal and Jon Rahm visit the Aston Martin F1 Team garage.

Alex Bierens de Haan / LAT Images via Getty Images

Cam'ron with the Audi F1 Team R26 on the grid.

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Mark Thompson / Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Hector Vivas / Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

George Russell, Mercedes, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Clive Mason / Getty Images

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

George Russell, Mercedes

James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Lando Norris, McLaren

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Lando Norris, McLaren

Sona Maleterova / Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Ryan Pierse / Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Alastair Staley / LAT Images via Getty Images

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

Rafael Nadal waves the checkered flag for Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Rebecca Blackwell / POOL / AFP via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrates after winning

CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Peter Fox / Getty Images

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Mark Thompson / Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

James Sutton / LAT Images via Getty Images

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Hector Vivas / Formula 1 via Getty Images

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The 2026 Formula 1 season is four rounds old and already the sport is planning its escape from it. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem used the Miami Grand Prix weekend to confirm what many in the paddock had been expecting: V8 engines are coming back to Formula 1, and the manufacturers don’t really get a veto.

“It’s coming, oh yes, it is coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time. In 2031, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the power unit manufacturers,” he told reporters, per Reuters.

The V8 was ditched for a V6 turbo-hybrid in 2014 , a decision driven by the automotive industry’s push toward electrification and a desire to attract manufacturers like Audi and Honda.

The 2026 ruleset deepened that commitment with a near-50:50 split between combustion and electric energy, which has significantly changed the racing with battery management being key. The result has been messy enough that just four rounds into the 2026 campaign, tweaks have already been made to reduce the reliance on energy harvesting and increase safety.

The V8 Timeline Is Already Set

Ben Sulayem’s target is 2030 – one year before the current engine regulations reach their formal end. The math on how that happens is pretty basic. A change can be made for 2030 if a super-majority of four of the six manufacturers vote in favour. Otherwise, the FIA can force through the switch for 2031.

Ben Sulayem claims the manufacturers are broadly on board, though he’s comfortable either way.

“You will hear about it very soon. It will not be something like now, which is a 46-54 split. There will be very minimal [electric] power,” he said. The new V8s would retain some electrification – just nowhere near the current formula’s near-equal weighting between combustion and battery power.

Why V8 and not V10? Ben Sulayem has an answer.

A return to V10 engines has been ruled out, mainly because they are no longer relevant to road cars. He described the V8 as “the most popular and easiest to work with,” adding that its sound is incredible while the mechanics of it isn’t overly complex, and it’s of course a lighter option of engine.

After his V10 idea was dropped last year, Ben Sulayem outlined an idea to move to V8s in 2029 or 2030 instead, with more standard components and sustainable fuels as the point of appeal for engine manufacturers.

The FIA president was blunt about what happens if manufacturers drag their feet. “I’m targeting 2030. One year before the maturity [of the regulations]. It will happen. But let’s say the manufacturers don’t [vote for it], then one more year and it will be done. It’s not a matter of, ‘Do I need their support?’ No, it will be done. V8 is coming.”

Why the Manufacturers Are Less Opposed This Time

The automotive industry is no longer so keen on fully electric cars, and F1’s engine suppliers are now open to the idea of increasing emphasis on combustion power once again.

That’s a big change from just a year ago, when Ben Sulayem raised the idea of V8s returning to F1 but manufacturers were not in favour, particularly with it being so close to the changes for 2026, so the concept was put on the backburner.

Talks are already underway about the 2027 power unit regulations, with a move towards a 60-40 split between combustion and electric power being mooted ahead of the next full rules change in 2031.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has also identified cost-cutting and weight reduction as priorities for the next cycle of rules, and there is alignment between F1 and the FIA that the engine needs to be simpler and more traditional, while still retaining enough appeal for engine manufacturers.

The 2026 regulations were designed to make F1 relevant to an industry sprinting toward electrification. That industry has since changed its mind, and the FIA is using that reversal as cover to do what Ben Sulayem wanted to do all along. Whether he gets it done in 2030 or 2031 is almost beside the point. The V6 hybrid era has a confirmed end date, and the sound you remember from 2006 to 2013 is scheduled for a comeback.

Carlos Sainz has been a man under pressure all season. Williams is running at the back of the midfield, Sainz’s two points are the only ones the team has scored so far in 2026, and Miami wasn’t exactly the clean weekend the team needed. It got messier when Max Verstappen got involved.

During the early section of the race, a near-miss between Sainz’s Williams and Verstappen’s Red Bull prompted an immediate angry response on team radio. “What the f*** was that?” Sainz demanded. His engineer Gaetan replied simply: “We’ll report.” That wasn’t enough for Sainz, who made his feelings clear: “I think he pushed me off. He thinks he can do whatever he wants just because he’s racing in the midfield.” Gaetan’s response, “That’s a long race, a long race,” was about the most diplomatic thing said between them all afternoon.

Verstappen in the Midfield Is a Different Animal

Verstappen has said Red Bull halved the gap to the leading pack with the upgrade package it brought to Miami, but the three-time world champion is still nowhere near where he’s used to racing. He called the new 2026 cars “anti-racing” and likened them to Mario Kart, while strongly hinting after the last race that he was seriously considering walking away from the sport at the end of 2026.

A frustrated Verstappen stuck in the pack is a very different proposition from the one cruising at the front with a second of clear air.

Sainz’s frustration is understandable, however.

Only moments before this, the Alpine of Pierre Gasly was flipped after contact with Racing Bull’s Liam Lawson, who later retired with damage received by the hit. This followed Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar hitting the wall at Turn 14 after he skimmed the inside of Turn 13, breaking his suspension arm and leaving him angered, thumping his steering wheel in annoyance.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has promised to end the ongoing 13-year hiatus of V8 power units from Formula 1 by 2031 at the latest.

The V8 was ditched for a V6 turbohybrid in 2014 and F1 has now entered its third regulation cycle since the electrified power units were introduced. However, the 2026 ruleset is proving contentious.

That’s because of the move towards a power unit that has a near-50:50 split between combustion and electric energy, which has significantly changed the racing with battery management being key.

There are various reasons as to why this has caused problems, and just four rounds into the 2026 campaign tweaks have been made to reduce the reliance on energy harvesting - and to increase safety.

Talks are now underway about the 2027 power unit regulations, with a move towards a 60-40 split between combustion and electric power being mooted, ahead of the next full rule change in 2031.

“It’s coming. At the end of the day, it’s a matter of time,” Ben Sulayem told Reuters. “In 2031, the V8, the FIA will have the power to do it, without any votes from the PUMs.

“That’s the regulations. But we want to bring it one year earlier, which everyone now is asking for. “

Start action

To introduce V8s for 2030, four of the six power unit manufacturers - Mercedes, Ferrari, Honda, General Motors, Audi and Red Bull - must vote in favour of the change, otherwise the FIA can force it for the following year.

This is not the first time Ben Sulayem has called for the return of the louder and more powerful engines witnessed in previous years, as 2025 saw him raise the idea of V10s coming back to F1 - last used in 2005

But manufacturers were not in favour, particularly with it being so close to the changes for 2026, so the concept was put on the backburner to make this year’s rules a success.

Speaking about why now V8 and not V10, Ben Sulayem said: “You get the sound, less complexity, lightweight. You will hear about it very soon and it will be with a very, very minor electrification.

“I’m positive, they want it to happen. But let’s say the manufacturers don’t approve it, the next year it will happen. In 2031 it’s done anyway. It will be done. V8 is coming.”

Yet the constant involvement of power unit manufacturers is one of the reasons why the current ruleset has inherent flaws, as they were decided in 2022 when the automotive industry was set on electrification.

As a result, the championship went down that road to persuade the likes of Audi and Honda. But now with the industry no longer so keen on fully electric cars, F1’s engine suppliers are open to the idea of an increase in emphasis on combustion power once again.

Regardless, F1 and its governing body have both recently confirmed that it must no longer be dictated by the automotive industry for its next rules cycle in 2031. 

Read Also: Why OEM involvement has caused vast problems for F1 and the FIA FIA agrees with F1: "We cannot be hostage to automotive companies"

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An F1 fan from the UK has highlighted a problem on social media that prevented them from viewing the Miami Grand Prix sprint race, despite having a valid ticket. They compared the race venue to other European Grand Prix circuits where the issue is reportedly non-existent.

The fan uploaded a video from the rpace stands, showing how the crowd stood up when the F1 cars passed by, blocking their view entirely.

Expressing their disappointment, the fan revealed how they had flown all the way from the UK for the Miami GP and had paid for seats from which they could not view the race.

Unfortunately, one pregnant woman with them found it difficult to stand throughout the race, and thus, they were left with no option but to remain seated.

Read More from MotorBiscuit:

• Iron Man, Captain America Join Williams F1 in New Marvel Partnership Ahead of Miami GP
• Thunderstorms Continue To Threaten Miami Grand Prix as Race-Day Forecast Worsens
• Apple Experiences Huge Success as Formula 1’s Official U.S. Broadcaster in 2026 With Viewership Taking Off

The fan revealed how they had been to other F1 races, such as the Spanish Grand Prix and the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, but never experienced their view being blocked this way.

Asking F1 and the Miami GP organizers for help, the fan wrote on Instagram:

“Flew from the UK for the Miami GP and paid for seats we couldn’t actually use. Everyone stood the whole race, so we had zero visibility.

“We’ve been to other races like Spanish Grand Prix and Emilia Romagna Grand Prix and never experienced anything like this.

“One of us is pregnant and physically couldn’t stand for long periods just to try and see.

“Surely this isn’t the experience fans should have.

“Just hoping this can be made right.

“@f1 / @f1mia can you help?”

Red Bull Racing driver Isack Hadjar has been disqualified from the Miami Grand Prix qualifying after the sport’s governing body, the FIA, found his RB22 F1 car’s floor to be non-compliant with the 2026 F1 technical regulations. As a result, Hadjar will start the race from the pit lane instead of starting from P9.

The FIA discovered in post-qualifying scrutineering that the floor of the RB22 protruded by two millimeters, more than what had been specified in the technical regulations.

The Red Bull F1 team introduced a new floor to Hadjar’s car as part of its upgrade package for the Miami GP. However, that has not met with the FIA’s specifications. FIA technical delegate Jo Bauer stated:

“The lhs and rhs floorboard were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD.

Read More from MotorBiscuit:

• Updated 2026 Miami Grand Prix Start Time Confirmed and How to Watch
• Why Racing Bulls’ Arvid Lindblad Received a Pitlane Penalty But Suffered a DNS in the Miami GP Sprint Race
• Nico Hulkenberg Ruled Out of Miami Sprint Race After Audi F1 Car Catches Fire

“As this is not in compliance with Article C3.5.5 of the Formula 1 Technical Regulation, I am referring this matter to the stewards for their consideration.”

Red Bull did not go against Bauer’s report. Announcing the penalty, the FIA report read:

“The Stewards heard from the team representatives of Car 6 (Isack Hadjar). They did not dispute the findings of the Technical Delegate that portions of the LHS and RHS floor boards were protruding 2mm out of the reference volume RV-FLOOR BOARD.

“This is a breach of Article C3.5.5 of the FIA F1 Regulations and the usual consequences follow an admitted breach of the technical regulations.”

Following the disqualification, Red Bull issued a statement in which team principal Laurent Mekies apologized on behalf of the team. Planet F1 reported:

“We made a mistake and we respect the decision of the stewards. No performance advantage was intended nor gained from this error.

“We will learn from this incident and assess our processes to understand how it occurred and to take steps to ensure it cannot happen again.

“As a team, we apologise to Isack, and to our fans and partners. We learn the hard way today but we will move forward.

“Now our focus is on converting yesterday’s encouraging showing into a strong race performance this afternoon.”

All the ways to watch Miami Grand Prix 2026 live streams online and from anywhere, as Mercedes look to continue their winning start to the 2026 F1 season.