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Miami Grand Prix: Antonelli faces engine failure, Sprint qualifiers tonight
2026-05-01 22:48:32 / SPORT
Formula 1 returns to action after a five-week break with the Miami Grand Prix, the fourth round of the 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Championship. This is the first of three American races of the year.
The 19-turn Miami International Speedway presents various challenges for teams and drivers, including fast, wide corners in the first sector, a slower section between turns 11 and 16, and a 1.2 km long straight in the final sector where speeds reach high levels.
This weekend also marks the second Sprint event of the season. Due to the long break, the Sprint format and recent regulatory changes, the FIA has extended Friday's free practice session to 90 minutes, giving teams more time to test improvements and find the optimal setup.
Miami is known as one of the Grand Prix with the largest number of VIPs, with figures like Serena Williams present in the Ferrari pits.
The racing atmosphere has returned after the break, with teams using the time to improve their cars. Ferrari, in particular, has unveiled the biggest package of improvements in Miami, with 11 new details on their car.
In the free practice session (FP1), Charles Leclerc in Ferrari was the fastest, recording a time of 1'29″310. He was followed by Max Verstappen (Red Bull) with a time of 1'29″607 and Oscar Piastri (McLaren) with a time of 1'29″758. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) took fourth place, while Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) finished fifth with a time of 1'30″079. However, Antonelli's session was accompanied by problems, as Mercedes reported a fault with its power unit. During the session, Antonelli had led for a while, showing his potential, but the technical problem prevented him from continuing without problems. During the free practice, there were several key moments. Aston Martin, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, was the only team to stay in the pits for the first 15 minutes due to a "problem with the fuel supply in the pits". George Russell reported noise from his Mercedes' turbo, while Antonelli complained about Stroll's "waves" in front of him. The drivers were immediately looking for the limit, with Hamilton braking hard and Antonelli cutting a chicane. At the end of the session, many drivers mounted the soft tires, bringing big changes to the times and making Leclerc the fastest.
Kimi Antonelli, just 19, comes to Miami as the youngest championship leader in F1 history, leading the drivers' standings with 72 points after two wins in the first three races. He is followed by teammate George Russell on 63 points, while Ferrari's Charles Leclerc is third on 49 points. In the Constructors' Championship, Mercedes has a significant 135-point lead thanks to three consecutive victories, while Ferrari is second on 90 points and McLaren third on 46 points. These figures underline Mercedes' dominance at the start of the season. This is the fifth Miami Grand Prix, which debuted in 2022. Max Verstappen is the most successful driver here with two wins, while Lando Norris won in 2024 and Oscar Piastri last year. Red Bull Racing and McLaren have two constructors' wins each in the event.
The schedule for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix is as follows: The event will resume at 22:30 with Sprint Qualifying, which will determine the starting order for the Sprint race scheduled for tomorrow at 18:00. On Saturday, the main qualifying will take place from 22:00 to 23:00. The 57-lap main race will take place on Sunday at 22:00. Coverage will be available on Sky Sport F1, channel 207 (on the move with SkyGo) and live on NOW. TV8 will also broadcast several sessions, including the Sprint Qualifying (delayed) and the Sprint Race (live) on Saturday, as well as the main qualifying (live). Sunday’s race will be broadcast on TV8 on a delayed basis. This weekend promises strong emotions and a spectacular return of Formula 1 to American soil.
Taken from La Gazzetta dello Sport
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