F1 Miami: the matchup, the stakes, the verdict

Formula 1 returns to action at the Miami Grand Prix following an unexpected five-week break when a pair of races in the Middle East were called off because of the war in Iran. F1 Miami has emerged this Friday as one of the stories drawing attention in New Zealand.

Key facts

• Formula 1 returns to action at the Miami Grand Prix following an unexpected five-week break when a pair of races in the Middle East were called off because of the war in Iran.
• F1 returns at Miami after a 5-week break as FIA rolls out rule changes.
• Follow live coverage as the Formula 1 season gets back underway in Miami after an unexpected break.
• Follow all the action live from the extended only practice session for the 2026 F1 Miami Grand Prix!
• Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, talks to team members outside a hospitality tent ahead of the Formula One Miami Grand Prix auto race, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell).

What we know

Going deeper, F1 returns at Miami after a 5-week break as FIA rolls out rule changes.

On the substance, Follow live coverage as the Formula 1 season gets back underway in Miami after an unexpected break.

Beyond the headlines, Follow all the action live from the extended only practice session for the 2026 F1 Miami Grand Prix!

More precisely, Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, center, of Italy, talks to team members outside a hospitality tent ahead of the Formula One Miami Grand Prix auto race, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell).

It is worth noting that Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, center right, of Britain, leaves a hospitality tent after speaking to the press, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla., ahead of the Formula One Miami Grand Prix auto race. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell).

By the numbers

At this stage, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, of Monaco, signs a fans shirt ahead of the Formula One Miami Grand Prix auto race, Thursday, April 30, 2026, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell).

On a related note, MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Formula 1 returns to action at the Miami Grand Prix following an unexpected five-week break when a pair of races in the Middle East were called off because of the war in Iran.

Going deeper, the weather could play an important role in this weekend's F1 action.

On the substance, a threat of lightning is being forecast for Sunday afternoon in Miami, just in time for the F1 Miami Grand Prix.

What they're saying

“It’s a tickle,” said Max Verstappen, who has been so vocal about his dislike of the current cars that he’s openly considering leaving F1.

“It’s going to be pretty unusual to see so many upgrades on so many different teams,” said Charles Leclerc. “I’m pretty sure most of the people will have kind of new cars for here.

“I think the package will make a difference on that, hopefully for us better, but at the point of going and get Mercedes, I think they are, they were too ahead for us to actually get them only with what we are bringing here,” said Leclerc.

The wider context

On a related note, F1 returns this weekend after a five-week break, with the series taking to the Miami International Autodrome for the fifth edition of the Miami Grand Prix.

Going deeper, the best example to look at as to whether or not an F1 race would be cancelled due to thunderstorms would be last year's Miami GP.

On the substance, F1 2026 Miami Grand Prix weather forecast

Beyond the headlines, F1 Results Today: Kimi Antonelli suffers issue as Mercedes face setback at Miami GP.

More precisely, F1's fake marina - what is it and why is it at the Miami GP?

The bottom line

• The weather could play an important role in this weekend's F1 action.
• A threat of lightning is being forecast for Sunday afternoon in Miami, just in time for the F1 Miami Grand Prix.
• The best example to look at as to whether or not an F1 race would be cancelled due to thunderstorms would be last year's Miami GP.