Charles Leclerc sets the tone during the first free practice for the Miami GP. Max Verstappen sets the second fastest time, followed by Oscar Piastri. Mercedes looks less strong than before the spring break and remains stuck in fifth and sixth place.
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For the first time since March 29 this year, the F1 cars kiss the asphalt again during an official Grand Prix weekend. After the race weekend in Japan, both the Bahrain GP and the Saudi Arabia GP were canceled due to unrest in the Middle East.
There was also unrest behind the scenes about the 2026 regulations. The FIA intervened and, as far as possible, slightly adjusted the regulations. Timing was quite difficult just before a sprint race, so the FIA decided to extend the first and only free practice for the Miami GP by half an hour.
The teams were also not idle during the inserted spring break, so many cars have been equipped with a battery of updates. Especially Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull have pulled out all the stops here in the United States. For example, the RB22 is now also equipped with the special macarena wing. In short, those extra thirty minutes come in handy in that area as well.
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Leclerc bossing everyone
Ferrari looks fast with the new package and Charles Leclerc sets the fastest time in the opening phase of this session. The Monegasque still tops the timesheet after an hour, followed by Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton. Behind them is Max Verstappen (P5) sandwiched between the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri.
With only 12 minutes left on the clock, it gets very interesting with the sprint qualifying in mind. The tires with the red sidewalls are fitted under the cars and the drivers prepare for the qualifying simulation. Verstappen immediately takes the fastest time, but Leclerc snatches it back from the Dutchman. Norris is next to aim for P1 but has to yield on the track to Alexander Albon.
When the flag falls, Leclerc is still the fastest man on the track, followed by Verstappen and Piastri. Mercedes is somewhat disappointing and has to settle for P5 and P6. Whether they can strike back in the sprint qualifying, we will see soon at 22:00 Dutch time.
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Results
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Read everything about the Miami GP here
