Italian Andrea “Kimi” Antonelli (Mercedes), winner a month ago in Suzuka, Japan, takes the youngest championship lead in Formula One history this weekend in Miami, where the World Championship resumes after being interrupted by the conflict in the Middle East. The fourth race of the year, the second in sprint format, is the second of the season.
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were initially scheduled to host the fourth and fifth races of the championship on the second and third weekends of April, respectively, but both were canceled due to the conflict sparked by the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Iran’s subsequent response.
Antonelli, 19, who also won in China, leads the championship with 72 points, nine more than his teammate, Englishman George Russell—winner of the opening race in Australia and the Shanghai sprint—in a World Championship that resumes with the much-demanded and necessary adjustments to the new technical regulations, announced last week by the FIA (International Automobile Federation). These adjustments reduce the excessive importance of electric power compared to that generated by the combustion engine.
Highly authoritative voices, such as that of four-time world champion Max Verstappen (Red Bull)—who stated that instead of using a simulator, he would use a video game—and two-time champion Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)—who referred to the championship as “the battery-powered world championship”—had vehemently criticized the new regulations, which affect driving style and race development, significantly diminishing the skill and talent of the drivers.
But the most decisive factor was the accident in Japan—fortunately without excessive damage—involving Briton Oliver Bearman, who used boost mode to draw on stored electrical energy and overtake Argentinian Franco Colapinto (Alpine) before losing control of his Haas and crashing into the barriers.
In Miami, a reaction is expected from the Ferraris of Monegasque Charles Leclerc, who has 49 points, and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (41), who occupy third and fourth place in the standings, respectively. Another Briton, Lando Norris—who captured the title last year—with 25 points, and the other McLaren, driven by his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri (21), are just behind them.
The championship did not start well for the Spanish drivers. Carlos Sainz (Williams), from Madrid, with four wins and 29 podium finishes in F1, managed to scrape together two points by finishing ninth in China. However, Alonso has had a forgettable start to the year with the AMR26—designed by the renowned Adrian Newey—from which much was expected, but which has proven unreliable. The newly introduced Honda engine is not performing well and is also causing significant vibrations.
The two-time world champion from Asturias, with 32 wins and 106 podium finishes in the premier category, who (after surpassing all his previous records) continues to break veteran records at 44 years old and has just become a father, has yet to score points. The best news for him this season has been that he at least managed to finish the race in Suzuka.
The Argentine Colapinto recently enjoyed a triumphant performance last Sunday in Buenos Aires. After failing to score in 2025, the Buenos Aires native managed to return to the points, finishing tenth in China; and in Miami he will be looking to score again. This won’t be easy for Mexican Sergio Pérez, runner-up in the world championship three years ago, who, after a year away from the sport, returned this season to the World Championship at the wheel of a Cadillac.
The fifth edition of the Miami Grand Prix—where Verstappen is the only driver to have won twice—will once again be held on the street circuit built around Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins, the NFL team that last year, along with the Washington Commanders in Madrid, played the first NFL game ever held in Spain.
The World Championship resumes on a 5,412-meter track with 19 turns (twelve left-handers).
There will only be one free practice session—this time longer: 90 minutes instead of an hour—because Friday afternoon will be dedicated to qualifying for the sprint race, which will take place in the first session on Saturday.
The sprint will cover about a third of the distance of the longer race; that is, 19 laps, for a total of just under 103 kilometers. Points will be awarded to the top eight finishers. The winner takes eight points, second place seven, third place six, and so on, down to eighth place, which earns one point.
Hours later, on Saturday, the main qualifying session will also be held, which will determine the starting grid for Sunday’s race. The race is scheduled for 57 laps, for a total distance of 308.3 kilometers. EFE
