Miami GP: Leclerc Sets Pace as Verstappen Takes Second

Leclerc leads Miami practice ahead of Verstappen and Piastri

Leclerc topped the timesheet as Mercedes struggled in the only practice session before sprint qualifying.

Miami GP practice saw Leclerc lead from Verstappen and Piastri in a close session...

Charles Leclerc set the pace for Ferrari in Friday’s only practice session at the Miami Grand Prix, edging out a resurgent Max Verstappen and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

The Ferrari driver posted a 1:29.310 to beat the Red Bull driver by 0.164 seconds, finishing four-tenths ahead of Piastri as Mercedes slipped down the order.

Seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton took fourth for Ferrari, ahead of Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, the youngest driver ever to lead the F1 title race. George Russell finished sixth in the other Mercedes.

World champion Lando Norris was seventh for McLaren, followed by Alpine’s Pierre Gasly, Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar, and Williams’ Carlos Sainz. Teams with the most upgrades seemed to benefit most from their changes.

Mercedes, running unchanged cars from the first three races before Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled, couldn’t assert their usual dominance in the session.

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Following a five-week break caused by conflict in the Middle East, Carlos Sainz was first on track ahead of the two Ferraris, with all three looking for early feedback on their extensive upgrades in warm Miami conditions.

Lando Norris quickly showed McLaren’s pace to go quickest, while George Russell said his Mercedes turbo sounded like a steam train and Pierre Gasly reported a strange smell in his Alpine.

With 46 minutes gone, Charles Leclerc set the benchmark at 1:29.885, ahead of Kimi Antonelli, with Lewis Hamilton slotting into third for Ferrari.

Ferrari’s heavily revised car, fitted with 11 new parts, appeared to be responding well to the team’s investment, which was the largest of any team. McLaren brought the next most, while Aston Martin had no updates and Haas just one.

In the final minutes of the extended practice session for the sprint weekend, both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar reported gearbox issues.

“The shifts are horrendous, up and down,” said the Dutchman, referring to ongoing gearbox trouble.

With 15 minutes left, the front runners pitted for soft tyres to prepare for sprint qualifying later in the day.

Kimi Antonelli, who took sprint pole here last year, missed the run due to a power-unit issue, while Leclerc remained fastest ahead of Verstappen, Piastri, and Hamilton.

Charles Leclerc.

Fastest in FP1 💨#F1 #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/2PyegyRKZP

— Formula 1 (@F1) May 1, 2026

F1’s 2027 Engine Rules Spark Driver Debate

Reports overnight indicated that Formula 1’s engine regulations for 2027 could be finalized within two weeks, ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix. That sparked talk of shifting the power split from 50/50 to 60/40 between combustion and electrical energy.

The potential change is likely to fuel debate and may influence the futures of several drivers, including four-time champion Max Verstappen and two-time champion Fernando Alonso.

Verstappen has said the new hybrid cars create artificial racing and that he is considering leaving F1. Alonso, now 44, has also said he will decide soon on his future with Aston Martin amid the team’s struggles.

Hamilton said he welcomed recent talks between drivers and the sport’s governing bodies, but argued drivers should have a permanent role in future rule discussions.  

“The drivers all work together,” he said. “We meet and talk, but we don't have a seat at the table, which I think needs to change.”