Verstappen and Piastri complete the top 3, while Mercedes loses strength at the end and Bortoleto reacts but remains outside the top 10
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Formula 1 is back after the break since the Japanese GP, and the return in Miami started with a decisive single free practice for the rest of the Sprint weekend. In a session extended to 90 minutes, Ferrari finished ahead with Charles Leclerc, who confirmed the team’s good performance in the qualifying simulation.
From the start, the session was marked by intense track activity. With only one practice available, practically the entire grid went out early, prioritizing the validation of the extensive upgrade packages brought to Miami, especially by Ferrari, Red Bull Racing, and McLaren.
The initial phase was dedicated to the use of hard tires, focusing on long stints and aerodynamic reading. Leclerc even led at this moment, while Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and Oscar Piastri alternated among the top positions as the track evolved.
Mercedes adopted a more conservative approach at the beginning, entering the track later. Still, Kimi Antonelli managed to lead the session at one point, showing that the team remains competitive despite the rivals’ progress.
As the practice progressed, the dynamic shifted to race simulations. Leclerc drew attention again by setting fast laps on already worn hard tires, while Verstappen continued reporting problems with gear shifts, a recurring issue that also appeared in other cars on the grid.
In the middle part, the pack showed itself quite balanced. Franco Colapinto appeared well, as did Nico Hülkenberg, while Aston Martin drew attention for the delay in going out on track, indicating possible more complex adjustments on the AMR26.
Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto had an irregular session. After a competitive start within the top 10, he lost positions as times improved, besides facing grip difficulties, including spins and lock-ups at Turn 1, one of the most critical points of the circuit.
In the final minutes, the session entered its decisive phase with the qualifying simulation. On soft tires, times dropped quickly, and it was Leclerc who set the best lap of the day, opening 0.3 seconds over Verstappen.
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The Red Bull driver still improved his time but could not beat the Monegasque’s time. Piastri secured third position, while Lewis Hamilton was very close despite a small mistake.
Mercedes, which had been strong, lost performance precisely at this moment. Russell appeared only among the front runners, without impressing, while Antonelli was out of the final part after a power unit problem.
McLaren also had an inconsistent finish. Norris was on a strong lap, with the best first sector, but was hindered by traffic, especially by Alexander Albon, and ended up making a mistake, losing the chance to fight for the lead.
In the midfield pack, Pierre Gasly stood out by finishing eighth, while Oliver Bearman and Arvid Lindblad also appeared well at certain moments.
Bortoleto still managed to improve at the end, progressing in all sectors and putting half a second over Hulkenberg, besides being only 0.02 seconds behind Bearman. Still, the gain was not enough to take him out of the lower half of the table, highlighting Audi’s difficulties in fast laps, despite a more consistent pace in long stints.
Another highlight of the finish was Williams’ progress, which managed to finish ahead of Audi, while Alpine maintained a solid presence in the upper half.
Formula 1 returns this Friday, May 1st, with the Sprint Qualifying at 5:30 PM Brasília time. Follow live and in real time on F1Mania.net.
Check the result of the single FP of the 2026 Miami GP:
1) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), 1’29.310
2) Max Verstappen (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford), 1’29.607
3) Oscar Piastri (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’29.758
4) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), 1’29.777
5) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 1’30.079
6) George Russell (Mercedes), 1’30.100
7) Lando Norris (McLaren/Mercedes), 1’30.208
8) Pierre Gasly (Alpine/Mercedes), 1’30.587
9) Isack Hadjar (Red Bull/Red Bull Ford), 1’30.873
10) Carlos Sainz (Williams/Mercedes), 1’30.930
11) Franco Colapinto (Alpine/Mercedes), 1’31.015
12) Alexander Albon (Williams/Mercedes), 1’31.024
13) Oliver Bearman (Haas/Ferrari), 1’31.091
14) Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), 1’31.111
15) Nico Hülkenberg (Audi), 1’31.595
16) Esteban Ocon (Haas/Ferrari), 1’31.635
17) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford), 1’31.648
18) Sergio Pérez (Cadillac/Ferrari), 1’32.047
19) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin/Honda), 1’32.593
20) Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac/Ferrari), 1’32.762
21) Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls/Red Bull Ford), 1’32.862
22) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin/Honda), 1’32.959
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