Miami GP: Leclerc leads FP1 for upgraded Ferrari

Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the sole practice session for the Miami Grand Prix, giving Ferrari an early boost after introducing a significant upgrade package. Max Verstappen was a close second for Red Bull, which debuted its own version of Ferrari's innovative rear wing, while Oscar Piastri completed the top three for McLaren. The session ran smoothly, but championship leader Kimi Antonelli missed a crucial soft-tire run due to a power unit issue.

Why it matters:

The first practice session offered the first real glimpse of the new upgrades teams have brought to Miami, with Ferrari's extensive package under particular scrutiny. As the only practice before Sprint Qualifying, the data gathered here is critical for setting up the cars for the rest of the compressed weekend. A strong start for Ferrari could signal a shift in competitiveness, while reliability concerns for Mercedes' Antonelli add immediate pressure.

The details:

• Ferrari brought the most upgrades of any team to Miami, with 11 new parts on the SF-26, including the return of its rotating 'macarena' rear wing.
• Red Bull debuted its own interpretation of that rear wing concept on the RB22, with Verstappen ending the session just 0.297 seconds behind Leclerc.
• The 90-minute session, extended to accommodate initial running under the new 2026 regulations, was largely incident-free on track.
• Team Troubles: Several teams faced issues:
  • Aston Martin lost significant garage time with a power issue affecting both Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.
  • Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes suffered a power unit problem that prevented him from attempting a qualifying simulation on the soft tire.
  • Drivers from multiple teams, including George Russell and Carlos Sainz, reported unusual engine and turbo noises.
• Session Flow: Early running was dominated by the hard compound tire, with drivers switching to softs for performance runs only in the final 10 minutes. Leclerc's benchmark time of 1:29.310 was set on the softs.

What's next:

The compressed Sprint format now moves rapidly to its next phase, putting immediate pressure on teams to analyze their FP1 data.

• Sprint Qualifying is next, where the grid for Saturday's Sprint Race will be set. Teams with limited soft-tire running or unresolved technical issues, like Mercedes with Antonelli, are at a disadvantage.
• The performance seen in FP1 suggests a tight battle at the front between Ferrari, Red Bull, and McLaren, setting the stage for a competitive qualifying session.
• All eyes will be on whether Ferrari can convert its practice pace into a genuine qualifying advantage and if Red Bull's new rear wing provides the expected step in performance.