2026 Miami Grand Prix - Preview

Toto Talks Miami

After a month without racing, we are ready to get back on track. We’ve used this break to analyse the opening races honestly, address our weaknesses and continue to raise our level. We’ve started the season well, but that counts for very little if you stand still.

We also know that our competitors will have used this time effectively to improve their packages and build a deeper understanding of their cars, so we expect the field to be closer in Miami. That’s the reality of F1; it’s a challenge we not only welcome but must rise to.

As a sport, we have also used this time to engage in constructive and open dialogue with all stakeholders. The regulatory tweaks are an evolution rather than a revolution, designed to build on the quality of racing we’ve seen so far while allowing the drivers to push to the limit. These changes respect the DNA of our sport and I’m confident they will contribute to an even stronger spectacle going forward.

Third Driver Insights

The Miami Grand Prix is an incredible event. There’s such a strong sense of excitement around F1 in the United States, and you really feel the passion from the fans throughout the weekend. The atmosphere is unique, especially with the paddock being located inside the stadium, which makes it a really cool and interesting place to be. It’s an event that not only stands out on the calendar but has made itself a home in F1.

From a driving perspective, the circuit offers a great combination of a street track and a permanent race track, with very close walls that demand precision. Sector 1 is incredibly high‑speed, while sector 2 has a tighter, more technical feel. On top of that, there’s an extremely long back straight, which will make battery management especially important. Preparing for Miami will be crucial in terms of energy deployment and car setup, along with adapting to the adjustments to the regulations since Japan, and it adds another interesting challenge for the drivers. We’re really excited to get back to racing there.

Did you know?

• This will be the fifth Miami Grand Prix, with the race first appearing on the calendar in 2022.
• This year, Free Practice 1 will run for 90 minutes to account for the long gap since the last Grand Prix, recent regulatory and technical changes, and the reduced practice time under the Miami Sprint format.
• The 5.412 km Miami International Autodrome became the 11th track based in the USA to host a Grand Prix . Las Vegas became the 12th when it debuted on the calendar in 2023.
• The Miami International Autodrome is one of nine on the 2026 F1 calendar to run in an anti-clockwise direction.
• Miami hosted the F1 Sprint format for the first time in 2024 and, like last season too, will do so again in 2026.
• 75 different circuit patterns were designed, and 36 simulated, before the final track layout was decided on before the first race in 2022.
• The circuit races around the grounds of the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the Miami Dolphins NFL team and the Miami Open ATP and WTA tennis tournaments.
• In his first Miami Grannd Prix, Kimi became Formula 1’s youngest polesitter last year after setting the fastest non‑race lap in the circuit’s history during Sprint Qualifying, aged just 18 years, 8 months and 7 days.
• Last year, George’s third-place finish on Sunday secured Mercedes’ first Miami podium and meant the team had recorded a top‑three Grand Prix finish at every circuit on the 2025 calendar.
• Mercedes-Benz Power (HPP) has won the past two Grands Prix in the Sunshine State, with Lando Norris (2024) and Oscar Piastri (2025) both triumphing for McLaren in recent seasons.