LECLERC TOPS THE ONLY PRACTICE SESSION IN MIAMI
After more than a month without racing, Formula 1 is back on track in Miami with a special practice session. Because this weekend follows the Sprint format, teams were given only one practice session, but it lasted 90 minutes instead of the usual 60. This extra time was allowed so teams could better understand recent rule adjustments for 2026 and test new parts without focusing too much on lap times.
Many teams arrived in Miami with important upgrades. Ferrari stood out by bringing changes to several areas of the car, including a new front wing design, updated suspension covers, and a new rear wing concept. There were also small differences between the two drivers, with Lewis Hamilton testing an additional aerodynamic detail.
McLaren and Red Bull also introduced multiple updates, mainly focused on improving aerodynamic efficiency, while Mercedes decided to delay major upgrades until the next race. Some midfield teams like Alpine and Williams also brought changes, but Aston Martin chose not to update their car as they are still working on engine issues.
At the start of the session, conditions were hot, with high air and track temperatures. Most drivers began with hard tires, while a few used medium compounds. McLaren showed strong early pace, with Lando Norris setting fast lap times quickly. Lewis Hamilton followed closely, although he had a few small mistakes on track. Later, young driver Kimi Antonelli impressed by setting the fastest time on hard tires, showing good confidence.
As the session continued, Charles Leclerc moved to the top of the timesheets with a strong lap, still using hard tires. Ferrari looked competitive, especially in longer runs, where their pace was similar to Mercedes. Drivers also seemed more comfortable pushing the car, suggesting that recent changes to energy management rules were working as intended.
In the final part of the session, teams switched to soft tires to simulate qualifying runs. Leclerc remained the fastest, improving his time again and confirming Ferrari’s strong performance. Max Verstappen and Oscar Piastri were close behind, while Hamilton lost some time due to a mistake. Norris also had a promising lap but ran wide at the final corner, missing a better result.
Not everything went smoothly for Mercedes, as Antonelli had to stop early due to a problem with his power unit, and the team worked on setup changes for George Russell. Despite these issues, both drivers had shown competitive pace earlier in the session.
By the end of the practice, Leclerc finished on top, followed by Verstappen and Piastri, with several teams showing promising speed. With many upgrades introduced and limited practice time, the rest of the weekend in Miami is expected to be unpredictable and exciting.
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