Red Bull's Miami upgrades 'almost halve' gap as Norris seizes sprint pole

Key facts

• Lando Norris claimed sprint pole for the Miami Grand Prix with an upgraded McLaren.
• Max Verstappen said Red Bull's Miami upgrades have 'almost halved' the gap to the frontrunners.
• Charles Leclerc topped the sole practice session ahead of Verstappen.
• Kimi Antonelli was hampered by a Mercedes engine issue in practice.
• George Russell expressed surprise at the performance jump of McLaren and Ferrari in Miami.
• Stefano Domenicali stated F1 is 'far from finished' with US expansion.
• Valtteri Bottas ruled out a Coachella return after Daniel Ricciardo reunion buzz.
• Cadillac unveiled a limited-edition CT5-V Blackwing F1 Collector Series ahead of the Miami GP.

McLaren's upgraded car delivers sprint pole

Lando Norris put McLaren's heavily upgraded MCL39 on pole position for the Miami Grand Prix sprint race, beating Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli by a narrow margin. The pole, secured under the lights of the Miami International Autodrome, marks a significant validation of the team's aggressive development push. Norris described the result as a 'nice way to reward' the team's efforts. McLaren brought a raft of technical updates to Miami, part of what the paddock is calling the most extensive upgrade package seen this season. The improvements appear to have closed the gap to the frontrunners, with Norris's lap time suggesting the team is now firmly in the fight for race wins.

Red Bull's upgrades narrow the deficit

Max Verstappen, who finished second in practice behind Charles Leclerc, said Red Bull's own upgrade package has 'almost halved' the gap to the leading teams. The reigning world champion, however, cautioned that the car is 'still not where I want it to be.' Red Bull introduced a new wing design—dubbed the 'Macarena' wing by some in the paddock—as part of a major aerodynamic overhaul. Verstappen's assessment suggests the Milton Keynes-based team is making progress but still trails McLaren and Ferrari on pure pace. The Dutchman also had a tense moment in sprint qualifying, squeezing past Williams' Franco Colapinto in the pit lane.

Mercedes and Ferrari show mixed form

George Russell, who qualified down the order in sprint qualifying, admitted he was surprised by the performance jump of both McLaren and Ferrari in Miami. 'They have made a big step,' he said, hinting at the competitive pressure on Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, said he thought Ferrari 'would be stronger' in Miami, suggesting the Scuderia has not yet maximised its potential at the circuit. Charles Leclerc topped the sole practice session, edging Verstappen, but reliability issues struck Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes, limiting his running. The young Italian still managed to qualify second for the sprint, underlining his raw speed despite the setback.

F1's US expansion continues apace

Stefano Domenicali, the CEO of Formula 1, declared that the sport is 'far from finished' with its expansion in the United States, calling the Miami Grand Prix 'the beginning of our journey.' The Miami GP has announced a major Paddock Club expansion for 2027, signalling long-term commitment to the venue. Apple's early viewership data for the 2026 season, following its US broadcast rights deal, showed a surge in audience numbers. Domenicali's comments come as F1 also prepares to decide on its 2027 engine rules by mid-May, a decision that will shape the sport's technical direction for years to come.

Off-track intrigue: Bottas, Brown, and a missing hypercar

Valtteri Bottas ruled out a return to the Coachella music festival after speculation of a reunion with Daniel Ricciardo, saying there were 'too many people' at the event. McLaren CEO Zak Brown, meanwhile, admitted that Fernando Alonso's missed opportunity to race the Indianapolis 500 was his 'worst experience' in the sport, reflecting on the failed deal that left the two-time champion without a seat. In a bizarre subplot, Adrian Sutil's $22 million Koenigsegg hypercar has gone missing amid an alleged blackmail case, adding a layer of off-track drama to the Miami weekend.

What lies ahead for the Miami weekend

The sprint race on Saturday will be the first real test of the upgraded cars, with Norris on pole and Antonelli alongside. The long-run data from practice suggested Mercedes had the edge in race pace, but McLaren and Red Bull are expected to be close. Weather forecasts indicate clear conditions, eliminating one variable. The main Grand Prix on Sunday will be crucial for the championship standings. Verstappen's admission that Red Bull is still not where it wants to be suggests the team may struggle to defend its lead, while McLaren and Ferrari sense an opportunity. The 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in recent memory.

A pivotal moment in the season

The Miami Grand Prix weekend has already delivered a flurry of technical and strategic developments that could reshape the competitive order. McLaren's upgrade appears to have worked, Red Bull is clawing back, and Ferrari and Mercedes are searching for answers. The sprint race will provide the first direct comparison, but the main event will be the true decider. With F1's US expansion showing no signs of slowing and the 2027 engine rules on the horizon, the sport is at a crossroads. The results from Miami will not only affect the championship but also influence the narrative around which teams are best positioned for the future.

The bottom line

• McLaren's major upgrade package has propelled Lando Norris to sprint pole, signaling a potential shift in the competitive order.
• Red Bull's updates have 'almost halved' the gap to the front, but Max Verstappen says the car still lacks the desired performance.
• Mercedes and Ferrari have shown mixed form, with George Russell surprised by rivals' gains and Lewis Hamilton expecting more from Ferrari.
• F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali confirmed the sport's US expansion is far from complete, with a Paddock Club expansion and new broadcast deal boosting viewership.
• Off-track stories, including Valtteri Bottas's Coachella comments and Zak Brown's Indy 500 regret, add color to the Miami weekend.
• The sprint and main race will provide critical data on which teams have genuinely closed the gap to the front.