17:57
Both Red Bull drivers have been complaining about downshifts.
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 2026 Miami GP
© XPB Images
LIVE
F1 Miami LIVE: Leclerc leads FP1 as Mercedes hit with engine issue
Live coverage of Friday at the F1 Miami Grand Prix
KEY MOMENTS
- Charles Leclerc leads FP1
- Ferrari has major update package
- Red Bull debuts 'macarena' wing
- Antonelli's session ends early with engine issue
- Sprint qualifying at 9:30pm BST
The 2026 Formula 1 season resumes this weekend, as the series makes its first of three visits to the United States of America, beginning with the Miami Grand Prix.
A recent addition to the calendar, the circuit around the Miami Dolphins' NFL stadium marks the fourth round of the 2026 season and the first race in five weeks.
The war in Iran forced F1 to cancel the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, meaning no racing took place in April. However, this offered the 11 teams plenty of time to work on car development.
More significantly, this weekend's Miami Grand Prix will see the debut of new engine regulations aimed at improving the qualifying spectacle, as well as safety, following the scary shunt for Ollie Bearman at the Japanese Grand Prix.
As a result, FP1 on Friday has been extended to 90 minutes to allow the teams extra time to understand the new energy deployment regulations.
But that will represent the only practice for the weekend, with sprint qualifying following later on Friday, with the sprint itself on Saturday morning and then qualifying for the main race on Sunday.
Mercedes' dominant start to the new campaign sees it come to Miami with a target on its back, as its rivals look to close the gap to the championship leader.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli also leads the drivers' standings, following back-to-back wins in China and Japan, opening up an intriguing intra-team dynamic between himself and George Russell coming into the Miami Grand Prix.
Ferrari has brought a raft of updates to its car as it looks to continue its strong start to the campaign, as well as close down the performance gap to Mercedes.
2026 Miami Grand Prix Friday schedule
FP1: 5pm BST - 6:30pm BST
Sprint qualifying: 9:30pm BST - 10:14pm BST
01 May 2026
17:55
The Astons have been out on soft rubber. Alonso is up to 18th, Stroll 19th.
17:50
When two worlds collide...
17:48
Standings after 45 minutes:
Standings after 45 minutes:
- Leclerc
- Antonelli
- Hamilton
- Norris
- Verstappen
- Piastri
- Russell
- Colapinto
- Hadjar
- Hulkenberg
- Gasly
- Bearman
- Lawson
- Ocon
- Albon
- Sainz
- Bortoleto
- Bottas
- Lindblad
- Perez
- Stroll
- Alonso
17:44
Leclerc has just shot to the top of the timesheets with a 1m29.855s.
17:38
Nasty lock-up for Alonso into the first corner a moment ago. He's now back in the pits.
17:37
Red Bull debuts copy of Ferrari ‘Macarena’ rear wing at F1 Miami Grand Prix
Red Bull grabs attention with its own version of a unique solution originally introduced by Ferrari.
Red Bull debuts copy of Ferrari ‘Macarena’ rear wing at F1 Miami Grand Prix
Red Bull's updated RB22 features an 'upside down' rear wing
17:35
Looks like that Hamilton info was a timing screen error as he's now showing as on hard tyres again.
17:34
Hamilton is out on some soft rubber now, so let's see what that updated Ferrari can really do.
17:33
The Aston Martin pair are back out again and have logged some lap times. Alonso is the leader, 6.5s off the pace set by Antonelli right now.
17:31
Standings after 30 minutes:
Standings after 30 minutes:
- Antonelli
- Leclerc
- Norris
- Verstappen
- Hamilton
- Piastri
- Colapinto
- Russell
- Hadjar
- Gasly
- Bearman
- Lawson
- Ocon
- Albon
- Sains
- Hulkenberg
- Bortoleto
- Bottas
- Lindblad
- Perez
- Alonso
- Stroll
17:29
Ferrari's updated SF-25 is looking pretty good out there so far.
17:28
The new Racing Bulls livery is... something
17:26
Most are out there on the hard tyres. Verstappen, Hadjar, Lindblad and Bottas have the mediums fitted.
17:25
Both Aston's have been out on track, but are now both back in.
17:24
Take a look at Red Bull's new rear wing.
17:23
Antonelli has now gone top with a 1m30.079s from Norris.
17:21
Interesting watching the Norris onboard a few moments ago. There was evident superclipping towards the end of the back straight, but it didn't seem as sudden as in previous races.
Let's wait and see what happens in full qualifying attack later today.
17:21
Leclerc had a big slide into Turn 11, like Hamilton.
17:18
Aston engine issue
Aston Martin has provided a brief update as to why Alonso and Stroll are still in the pits.
"Both cars' running is delayed due to a power issue in the garage."
17:18
Some trouble for George Russell:
"It's making a noise like a steam train. I don't know what it is." He even gave us some steam train sound effects!
17:17
Norris goes quicker with a 1m30.335s from Verstappen.
17:16
Red Bull has debuted its flippy rear wing, like the one Ferrari used. And it's a pretty big space it opens up on the rear wing.
17:16
Bortoleto's had a bit of a spin but he's fine and back underway.
17:15
Standings after 15 minutes
- Norris
- Verstappen
- Leclerc
- Hamilton
- Antonelli
- Piastri
- Bearman
- Sains
- Lawson
- Ocon
- Russell
- Hadjar
- Albon
- Hulkenberg
- Gasly
- Colapinto
- Linblad
- Perez
- Bortoleto
- Bottas