FIA Ratifies Mid-Season 2026 Rule Changes for Miami GP to Combat Dangerous Closing Speed Differentials
The FIA, F1 Management and all 11 team principals have ratified technical changes effective from the Miami Grand Prix on May 3. The revisions address dangerous closing speed differentials exposed by the 2026 regulations, illustrated by Ollie Bearman’s 50G crash at Suzuka when he struck Franco Colapinto’s energy-harvesting Alpine at dramatically reduced speed. Three changes have been agreed: the maximum recharge rate drops from 8MJ to 7MJ per lap; Boost power in race conditions is capped at 150kW; and peak superclip power rises from 250kW to 350kW, shortening the harvesting periods during which cars decelerate sharply. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem praised driver engagement in the process.
Sources: Autosport · The Race · Sky Sports F1
Antonelli Reflects on Leading F1 World Championship as Youngest-Ever Points Leader Ahead of Miami Return
Kimi Antonelli says he is feeling “stronger and more in control” heading into Miami as the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 World Championship. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver holds a nine-point lead over team-mate George Russell after winning in China and Japan. Antonelli has acknowledged recurring poor race starts — wheelspin issues in Australia and China, and a misjudged clutch at Suzuka — but says he is working through each problem methodically. He described his 2026 start as better than anticipated and expects the title fight to intensify significantly when racing resumes at the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
Ferrari Plans Three-Part Upgrade for Miami: Power Unit Software, Revised Floor, and Macarena Wing Development
Ferrari is preparing a three-part upgrade package for Miami to target Mercedes’ 45-point constructors’ lead. First, revised power unit software for managing electrical charge is being tested at Monza this week, designed to reduce the impact of superclipping on straights. Second, an aerodynamic upgrade includes a revised floor with cooling and weight-reduction components. Third, Ferrari’s radical ‘Macarena’ rear wing — which flips upside down in active aero mode — has been used only in practice so far; changes to the underfloor and sidewall profile are being validated in the simulator. Ferrari aim to race the full configuration at Miami if simulation data supports it.
Norris Vows McLaren Will Have Best Car This Season Despite 47-Point Championship Gap to Antonelli
Reigning world champion Lando Norris has insisted McLaren’s title defence remains alive despite trailing Antonelli by 47 points after three troubled races. A double reliability failure in China prevented both Norris and Oscar Piastri from starting, and the MCL40 has not yet matched the Mercedes W16 on pace. Norris said during the April break: “This isn’t a case of giving up.” McLaren will bring a significant upgrade package to Miami, where Norris expects meaningful lap time gains. Piastri’s second-place finish at Suzuka — the team’s first podium of 2026 — restored confidence heading into the Miami Grand Prix on May 3.
Sources: Sky Sports F1 · Crash.net
Red Bull Announces Technical Reshuffle After Difficult Season Start, Promotes Waterhouse and Signs Landi from Racing Bulls
Red Bull has announced a technical restructuring in response to a troubled 2026 start that leaves the team sixth in the constructors’ standings with 16 points from three races. Ben Waterhouse has been promoted to chief performance and design engineer, reporting to technical director Pierre Wache. Racing Bulls deputy technical director Andrea Landi will join Red Bull on 1 July as its new head of performance. The team cited “continued focus on developing internal talent while attracting leading expertise from across the sport.” Max Verstappen’s best result in 2026 remains a sixth-place finish in Australia, with reliability failures having disrupted both drivers’ early campaigns.
Sources: Sky Sports F1 · The Race
Martin Brundle Says Aston Martin Faces No Quick Fix as Team Endures Speed and Reliability Nightmare in 2026
Aston Martin’s 2026 season has been described as a “horror show” by Sky Sports F1 commentator Martin Brundle, who says the team lacks both pace and reliability. Despite signing design legend Adrian Newey and partnering with Honda as a works engine supplier, the AMR26 has consistently struggled. Alonso completed a race distance for the first time at Suzuka, finishing 18th and a lap down, while Stroll retired. With upgrade frequency restricted by the Additional Development Upgrade Opportunities system, there is no quick fix. A B-spec car is not expected before the Belgian Grand Prix in July. Aston Martin sits last in the constructors’ standings with zero points.
Sources: Sky Sports F1 · Crash.net
Wolff Warns Russell Not to Let Antonelli Gain Confidence and Does Not Rule Out Future Mercedes Team Orders
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has declined to rule out implementing team orders later in 2026 as Kimi Antonelli extends his lead over George Russell. Wolff stated that toward the end of the season, the team will assess whether any intervention is needed based on the points standings. Russell, who won the season opener in Australia, has been warned not to allow Antonelli to build further confidence during the Miami break. The nine-point gap between the two drivers has raised questions about whether Mercedes will ultimately nominate a lead driver. Analysts note it remains unclear whether Antonelli’s two wins fully reflect a consistent pace advantage over Russell.
F1 Teams Use Unexpected Five-Week April Break to Develop Cars as Season Resumes at Miami Grand Prix
The cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to Middle East tensions has created an unplanned five-week gap in the 2026 season. All 11 teams have used extended factory time to prepare upgrades for Miami on May 1–3. For struggling outfits including Red Bull, Aston Martin and Audi, the break provides critical development time; Mercedes and Ferrari have focused on extending existing advantages. Drivers have divided time between simulators, factory engineering sessions and fitness training. Analysis indicates the teams with the largest performance deficit stand to benefit most from the pause, given their greater scope to unlock improvement from the radically new 2026 car regulations.
Sources: Sky Sports F1 · Autosport
Cadillac Encouraged by Reliability but Pointless After Three Races, First Upgrade Package and Herta FP1 Debut Confirmed for Miami
Formula 1’s newest team, Cadillac, has completed three grands prix without a championship point but with encouraging reliability. Sergio Perez has finished every race and the China Sprint, with Valtteri Bottas posting a 13th-place finish in Australia as the team’s best result. Neither driver has reached Q2 in qualifying, but Cadillac will introduce its first upgrade package at Miami. IndyCar star Colton Herta has been confirmed for his FP1 debut at the Barcelona Grand Prix, with three further practice appearances to follow across the season. Cadillac joined the 2026 grid as F1’s 11th constructor — the first new team to enter the sport in a decade.
Drivers' Championship
1. Kimi Antonelli — 72 pts
2. George Russell — 63 pts
3. Charles Leclerc — 49 pts
4. Lewis Hamilton — 41 pts
5. Oscar Piastri — 31 pts
6. Lando Norris — 25 pts
7. Oliver Bearman — 17 pts
8. Pierre Gasly — 15 pts
9. Max Verstappen — 12 pts
10. Liam Lawson — 10 pts
11. Arvid Lindblad — 4 pts
12. Isack Hadjar — 4 pts
13. Gabriel Bortoleto — 2 pts
14. Carlos Sainz — 2 pts
15. Esteban Ocon — 1 pt
16. Franco Colapinto — 1 pt
17. Nico Hulkenberg — 0 pts
18. Alex Albon — 0 pts
19. Fernando Alonso — 0 pts
20. Lance Stroll — 0 pts
21. Valtteri Bottas — 0 pts
22. Sergio Pérez — 0 pts
Constructors' Championship
1. Mercedes — 135 pts
2. Ferrari — 90 pts
3. McLaren — 56 pts
4. Haas — 18 pts
5. Alpine — 16 pts
6. Red Bull — 16 pts
7. Racing Bulls — 14 pts
8. Audi — 2 pts
9. Williams — 2 pts
10. Cadillac — 0 pts
11. Aston Martin — 0 pts