Ferrari's Miami upgrade flop, Alonso's $11.7M supercar, and more F1 roundup

Ferrari's ambitious Miami upgrade package—11 new parts—yielded only a sixth and eighth-place finish, prompting former engineer Rob Smedley to label the setback 'slightly soul destroying'. Meanwhile, Fernando Alonso grabbed headlines off-track with an $11.7 million Pagani Zonda purchase, and both Lando Norris and George Russell voiced discontent with F1's current direction.

Why it matters:

Ferrari's failure to convert a major upgrade into podium contention underscores the team's persistent struggle to challenge Mercedes and Red Bull in 2026. With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both off the podium for the first time this season, the Scuderia faces a critical moment in its development curve. Separately, driver dissatisfaction with the V6-hybrid era and car weight is fueling debate ahead of the next regulation cycle.

The details:

• Ferrari's Miami meltdown: The Scuderia brought 11 new components but Lewis Hamilton managed only P6, while Charles Leclerc dropped to P8 after a post-race penalty. Rob Smedley said the team would now have to undergo a 'soul-destroying' reverse-engineering process to understand why the upgrades underperformed.
• Alonso's supercar splurge: The two-time champion was spotted in Monaco driving a Pagani Zonda Roadster Diamante Verde worth $11.7 million. The purchase coincides with the 13-year anniversary of his last F1 win (2013 Spanish GP, Ferrari). Alonso turns 45 in July.
• Norris' Nürburgring dig: Reigning champion Lando Norris called a recent McLaren 750S test at the Nürburgring 'the most fun I've had all year', a clear jab at F1 2026 regulations. Norris has previously admitted the current cars 'hurt his soul' at Suzuka. He finished P2 in Miami, his best result of 2026.
• Russell's V8 wish: Mercedes driver George Russell wants V8 engines and lighter cars in the next rule changes after FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem hinted V8s could return by 2030. V8s were last used in F1 from 2006-2013 before the V6-hybrid era.
• Verstappen meets Fallon: Jimmy Fallon attended his first F1 race in Miami as a Red Bull/Ford guest, filming with Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Verstappen delivered a cheeky comeback during Fallon's wordplay on his surname.

What's next:

Ferrari will likely revert to earlier specifications or accelerate a revised upgrade for the next race in Imola. The broader driver dissatisfaction—especially Norris and Russell's comments—could intensify pressure on the FIA to prioritize weight reduction and engine sound in the 2030 regulations. Alonso's new Pagani is unlikely to be his last indulgence before retirement rumors swirl.