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After a five-week break, Formula 1 returns as the paddock heads to the United States for the Miami Grand Prix. Our F1 experts have shared their race predictions, including whether Kimi Antonelli can extend his impressive winning streak.
Antonelli is already making history in just his second Formula 1 season. The Mercedes driver became the youngest-ever pole-sitter in Shanghai before going on to become the youngest championship leader with victory in Suzuka.
Back-to-back wins in China and Japan have propelled him to the top of the standings, overtaking teammate George Russell in the process.
The enforced break, caused by the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, has also brought change. The FIA used the time to introduce several updates to the 2026 regulations, which could shake up the competitive order this weekend in Miami.
Read More: F1 Miami Grand Prix 2026: How to watch, Sprint & Race start times and weather forecast
F1 is back but which team will have made the biggest step forward since Japan?
Which team will be the most improved since Japan?
David Comerford – McLaren: Their track record with upgrades lately is pretty phenomenal and they showed plenty of promise at Suzuka. They’ve also had over a month to study what Mercedes are doing differently with their engine.
Kyle Archer – McLaren: The five-week break since the Japanese Grand Prix will see most of the teams reveal upgrades in Miami, but McLaren will be the favourites to enjoy the biggest progress. McLaren have shown across the last few seasons that they can identify issues and improve their car quickly, so they might even have their sights set on the victory in Miami.
Ashley Hambly – Ferrari: The European leg of the season is right around the corner now, and I imagine Ferrari will have a certain date in September circled as a deadline for when they want to be at the top of the food chain. Engineers at Maranello have been hard at work refining their Macarena wing, and it could be the missing piece to them dethroning Mercedes.
Rebecca Braybrook – Red Bull Racing: This is a tough call, as several teams, including Ferrari and McLaren, as already mentioned by the others, should have made significant gains over the break. For me, though, it has to be Red Bull. They’ve had a surprisingly poor start to 2026, but I’d expect them to have addressed their issues, particularly with race starts. If that’s the case, it could see Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar pushing much further up the grid in Miami.
Aadi Krishnamurthy – Ferrari: I know McLaren have made a reputation for themselves as the best in-season development team, but Ferrari have made a myriad of changes and improvements during this hiatus, and I expect many, if not all of them, to pay off for them and help them close the gap to Mercedes.
Marcus Chan – Ferrari: I am backing the Scuderia to have done the best work on their car during the April break. I’m looking forward to seeing whether they will finally use the Macarena wing in a competitive session. After all, Fred Vasseur did promise a different championship from here, right?
Who will take the Miami Sprint pole?
David Comerford – George Russell: Other teams will need more time to hone their upgrades, while Mercedes’ changes won’t be so radical. With only one practice session this weekend, that will give Russell the edge.
Kyle Archer – Andrea Kimi Antonelli: Mercedes gem Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured his first pole in F1 for the Sprint in Miami last year, and his form so far in 2026 would suggest that he can go back-to-back when Formula 1 returns to Florida for another Sprint this year. Antonelli has taken the last two Grand Prix pole positions, so his confidence will be high in qualifying.
Ashley Hambly – Charles Leclerc: It’s only a matter of time before the Monegasque secures his first pole position of the year, and the Miami International Autodrome could prove to be the site of it. He’s yet to secure a front-of-the-pack start in Florida, so he could very well break that duck this weekend.
Rebecca Braybrook – Lando Norris: McLaren’s team principal, Andrea Stella, has hinted that a “completely new car” will be introduced in the coming races, which could provide the boost the Woking-based team needs to return to the front. After a difficult start to the season, I think Lando Norris could spring a surprise by taking the Sprint pole this weekend.
Aadi Krishnamurthy – Oscar Piastri: He has managed to show he can do quite well with the McLaren, despite their current issues, in his first race this season. And with McLaren making some improvements ahead of Miami, I expect the young Aussie to clinch pole.
Marcus Chan – George Russell: After a disappointing Japanese Grand Prix, the break was exactly what Russell needed to halt Kimi Antonelli’s momentum. A refreshed Russell will be out to show the world what he is really made of.
Who will win the Miami Sprint race?
David Comerford – George Russell: I expect Mercedes to start making cleaner starts from this weekend onwards, which should improve their pole conversion rate.
Kyle Archer – George Russell: While Andrea Kimi Antonelli won the past two Grands Prix in China and Japan from pole, the Shanghai Sprint remains the only race the Italian has made a clean start this year. So, even if Antonelli takes pole for the F1 Sprint in Miami, his Mercedes teammate George Russell will feel he can still win and also fire a message in their title fight.
Ashley Hambly – Kimi Antonelli: After becoming the youngest ever pole-sitter across both formats in Miami last year and losing out through no fault of his own, I think this year’s Miami Sprint race will be personal for the young Italian.
Rebecca Braybrook – Charles Leclerc: I’m going slightly rogue with this one, but I’m backing Charles Leclerc to win the Sprint. Ferrari have been close to Mercedes at the start of the season, and if they’ve managed to unlock more race pace over the break, Leclerc could be in a strong position to take victory.
Aadi Krishnamurthy – Oscar Piastri: Securing sprint pole will be the start of an excellent weekend for Piastri, who I expect to win the sprint race. Piastri is an excellent form driver, and when things are going well for him, it’s hard to stop him.
Marcus Chan – George Russell: I expect Russell to lead from start to finish, to prove to the world that although Antonelli is ahead, he is still the main favourite for the title.
Which driver will take pole for the Miami Grand Prix?
David Comerford – Oscar Piastri: He has had the measure of Norris in qualifying this season and McLaren should come alive later in the weekend. I think he can spring a surprise.
Kyle Archer – George Russell: Whichever Mercedes driver wins the F1 Sprint at Hard Rock Stadium will score pole position for the Miami Grand Prix, as the confidence that the victory will give (mixed with the other’s pain from losing) will make a vital difference in qualifying.
Ashley Hambly – Lewis Hamilton: If Leclerc is taking the plaudits on Friday afternoon, it will be Hamilton who signs the Pirelli tyre in parc ferme after qualifying for the Grand Prix. The 104-time pole-sitter hasn’t secured one since 2023, so it’s about time we see him start from the front again.
Rebecca Braybrook – Charles Leclerc: Off the back of a Sprint win, I think Leclerc will carry that momentum into qualifying and secure pole position, just edging out Kimi Antonelli.
Aadi Krishnamurthy – Kimi Antonelli: The young Italian might struggle during the sprint race, but I expect Mercedes’ advantage during qualifying to pay off for him significantly.
Marcus Chan – George Russell: The momentum from winning the Sprint will continue in qualifying. He will be the man to beat in Miami this weekend.
F1 is back! Who is going to win the Miami Grand Prix?
Who will stand on the 2026 Miami Grand Prix podium?
David Comerford – Norris, Russell, Piastri: The world champion hasn’t really arrived yet this season, but I think he’ll prevail in a battle with his teammate and the two Mercedes cars on Sunday, perhaps by going a different way on strategy.
Kyle Archer – Russell, Antonelli, Piastri: While McLaren will be much closer to the victory in Miami than they have been so far this term, the Mercedes W17 will still prove to be too fast for the competition – leading to the third one-two finish by George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli this season, with Oscar Piastri leading his papaya outfit’s bid in third place.
Ashley Hambly – Leclerc, Hamilton, Russell: I think Leclerc may just edge Hamilton on race pace once the five lights drop on Sunday. While Russell will certainly still be in contention, I think Ferrari will have just made an extra step over the five-week break, and give Toto Wolff something to worry about for the next round in Montreal.
Rebecca Braybrook – Hamilton, Leclerc, Antonelli: With rain forecast for race day, I’m backing the ‘rain master’ Lewis Hamilton to take his maiden Ferrari victory in Miami. Ferrari are one of the few teams to have gained meaningful wet-weather running, following rain-affected sessions during private testing in Barcelona and a recent filming day. I expect this should give them a slight advantage in the tricky conditions.
Aadi Krishnamurthy – Piastri, Antonelli, Norris: I expect this to be a stellar weekend for Piastri, earning the win in the sprint and the Miami GP. Kimi Antonelli might do better at starts this season after the recent rule change, but he loses his advantage of being able to make up ground. Lando Norris will be motivated to not fall too far behind his teammate and close the podium
Marcus Chan – Russell, Hamilton, Norris: With the current weather forecast, it could be a chaotic race around the Miami International Autodrome. I expect Russell to lead from start to finish again. Behind him, Hamilton and Norris will make up an all-British podium as Ferrari and McLaren’s upgrades are set to bring them much closer to Mercedes.
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