Kimi Antonelli heads into the Miami Grand Prix 2026 with a nine-point championship lead as Formula One resumes this weekend after a five-week break at the Hard Rock Stadium circuit.
The 19-year-old Mercedes driver secured back-to-back wins in China and Japan, while teammate George Russell won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, establishing Mercedes’ early dominance.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the team used the break to analyse performance and expects closer competition. “We’ve started the season well, but that counts for very little if you stand still,” Wolff said, adding rivals have likely improved during the pause.
The FIA has introduced regulation changes for Miami, including reduced battery energy harvesting in qualifying and revised power deployment to limit speed differentials between cars. Wolff said the adjustments would “respect the DNA of our sport” without significantly affecting Mercedes’ advantage.
Read: Antonelli Wins Japanese Grand Prix After Safety Car twist
Antonelli’s recent victories made him the first Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1953 to win consecutive Grands Prix. McLaren is expected to challenge after bringing a car drivers described as “almost a completely new car,” with Lando Norris noting that the circuit has historically suited the team. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, third and fourth in the standings, are also considered contenders.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, a two-time Miami winner, is ninth in the standings and trailing Antonelli by 60 points as he seeks to revive his title bid. The weekend includes a sprint race on Saturday, while Cadillac will make its first home appearance as Formula One’s 11th team with Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas. Practice sessions begin on Friday in Miami.
