The improved form of McLaren and Red Bull and in Florida suggests the 2026 title race is likely to run and run
There is a long old way to go but after Formula One emerged from its enforced early season break with an entertaining romp around the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, it indicated that there may yet be a decent tale to be told this season. One where Mercedes do not have it all their own way.
Regulation changes dominated the buildup – of which more later because honestly paragraph two is too early to subject readers to the increasingly soul-destroying phrase “energy management” – but what really mattered in Miami was the sporting imperative of upgrades making a competitive difference.
Mercedes had looked ominously strong with three straight wins in the opening three rounds before the five-week break caused by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi GPs. During that time there was no little beavering across the paddock on upgrades for Miami. McLaren, Red Bull and Ferrari all brought big packages. Notably, Mercedes did not.
The results palpably demonstrated there are huge gains to be made with these new regulations and the season will be defined by a fierce development war. McLaren and Red Bull made giant steps. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri took a one-two in the sprint for McLaren and then Norris could well have beaten the race winner, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, but for a pit stop decision and its execution.
