McLaren's Norris Takes Sprint Pole as F1 Returns After Five-Week Hiatus

Key facts

• Lando Norris claimed sprint pole for McLaren, beating Kimi Antonelli by two-tenths of a second.
• The Miami Grand Prix is the first race after a five-week break since Japan on March 29.
• Mercedes' unbeaten streak in pole positions ended with Norris's sprint pole.
• Kimi Antonelli leads the world championship by nine points over teammate George Russell.
• Ferrari and McLaren introduced substantial upgrades to close the gap to Mercedes.
• The FIA is monitoring an 85% chance of heavy thunderstorms on Sunday, which could force a schedule change.
• Protocol requires stopping events if lightning strikes within an eight-mile radius.
• Apple TV is the exclusive U.S. broadcaster under a five-year deal starting this season.

Storm Clouds and a Sprint Surprise

Formula One roared back to life in Miami on Friday after a five-week enforced break, with McLaren's Lando Norris snatching sprint pole from championship leader Kimi Antonelli. The defending constructors' champion edged the Mercedes driver by two-tenths of a second, marking the first time this season a Mercedes has not topped a qualifying session. But the sporting drama may be overshadowed by the weather: local forecasters predict an 85% chance of heavy thunderstorms for Sunday's main race at 4 p.m. local time. The FIA is monitoring the situation closely and could bring the start time forward if lightning threatens the eight-mile exclusion zone around the circuit.

Upgrades and Rule Changes Reshape the Grid

The five-week hiatus — caused by the cancellation of the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix due to the war in the Middle East — gave teams an unexpected opportunity to refine their cars. Ferrari and McLaren have brought significant upgrade packages to Miami, hoping to erode Mercedes' early-season dominance. Norris's performance suggests McLaren's developments are working. "This track has always been good to us but we knew that what we were bringing into it would be a good step," the Briton said after qualifying. Oscar Piastri qualified third, giving McLaren two cars in the top three.

Mercedes' Unbeaten Run Ends, but Title Lead Holds

Mercedes arrived in Miami without a major upgrade package, yet still holds the championship lead. Kimi Antonelli leads George Russell by nine points after the opening rounds, with the team unbeaten in both qualifying and race wins. However, Norris's sprint pole ended their clean sweep of pole positions. Charles Leclerc qualified fourth for Ferrari, Max Verstappen fifth, and Lewis Hamilton seventh. Russell could only manage sixth, underscoring Mercedes' vulnerability when not in clean air. The team's car has looked dominant only when leading, while battles with Ferrari and McLaren have been far closer.

Ferrari and Red Bull Seek to Close the Gap

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton — fourth and third in the championship respectively — have repeatedly expressed confidence in their car's chassis, believing more performance is available. If their upgrades deliver a real step forward, the title fight could ignite. Red Bull, too, hopes its Florida upgrades will address the issues that have left four-time champion Max Verstappen languishing in ninth in the standings. No team has stood still during the break, but Ferrari may have the most to gain. The Scuderia has consistently said its car has untapped potential, and Miami could be the proving ground.

New Energy-Management Rules Face First Test

This weekend also marks the debut of updated regulations aimed at reducing the dominance of energy management in racing. The changes were introduced after widespread driver discontent about how much the racing was dictated by battery conservation. An extended practice session on Friday morning drew no obvious complaints, but the real test will come in qualifying, the sprint race, and Sunday's grand prix. If rain arrives, it will be the first time these new-generation cars have run competitively in wet conditions — an additional unknown on a challenging street circuit.

Broadcast Shift to Apple TV Marks New Era for U.S. Fans

For American viewers, the Miami Grand Prix is the first race of the season with a convenient start time: 4 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. PT. It also marks the first race under Apple TV's exclusive five-year U.S. broadcasting deal, which began this season. Fans can stream all sessions live on Apple TV, with F1 TV Premium now included free with an Apple TV subscription. Practice sessions and qualifying are also available via the Yahoo Sports Racing Hub. The move ends ESPN's long-running coverage of F1 in the United States and signals the sport's growing commercial ambition in the American market.

Sunday's Race Hangs in the Balance

The serious business is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Sunday, but the FIA may decide as early as Saturday to move the start time forward to avoid storms. If lightning strikes within eight miles of the circuit, protocol demands an immediate stoppage. The decision will be made with safety paramount. Should the race proceed as planned, it will offer the first clear picture of the competitive order after the break. Mercedes' early dominance is under threat, McLaren and Ferrari are charging, and Red Bull is desperate for a turnaround. Miami, with its unpredictable weather and new regulations, could reshape the 2026 season.

The bottom line

• McLaren's Lando Norris took sprint pole, ending Mercedes' perfect qualifying record this season.
• Five-week break allowed teams to deploy upgrades, with Ferrari and McLaren making the most significant changes.
• New energy-management regulations debut this weekend, with wet weather potentially adding an extra variable.
• Apple TV's exclusive U.S. broadcast deal begins with the Miami Grand Prix, replacing ESPN.
• Thunderstorms with 85% probability could force the FIA to reschedule Sunday's race start.
• Mercedes still leads the championship but faces increased pressure from McLaren and Ferrari.