Ferrari to run complete car in Miami
- Ferrari is set to bring its biggest 2026 upgrade package to the Miami Grand Prix, with team boss Fred Vasseur calling it “a package and a half.” - Mercedes arrives in Miami with a 45-point lead over Ferrari in the constructors’ standings, after winning all three races through George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. - Miami opens a development reset after two April cancellations gave teams extra build time. (formula1.com)
Ferrari heads to the Miami Grand Prix with its biggest 2026 update yet, after Fred Vasseur said the team could field “a package and a half.” (planetf1.com) Miami is round four of the 2026 season and the first race after a five-week break created when the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix were cancelled. Formula 1’s official site says that gap gave teams extra time to design, build and stock spare parts for major upgrades. (formula1.com 1) (formula1.com 2) Ferrari needs the step. Mercedes has won all three races so far, leads the constructors’ standings 135 points to 90, and has both top spots in the drivers’ championship with Kimi Antonelli on 72 and George Russell on 63. (formula1.com 1) (formula1.com 2) Ferrari’s two drivers are close enough to matter but not close enough to control the title fight yet. Charles Leclerc is third on 49 points and Lewis Hamilton is fourth on 41, with Ferrari still searching for a car that can pressure Mercedes over a full weekend. (formula1.com 1) (formula1.com 2) Vasseur has framed Miami as a reset point, saying the race could mark the start of “another championship” as teams finally roll out the first big wave of 2026 development. Motorsport.com reported that teams have been “push[ing] like crazy” for this window. (motorsport.com) (formula1.com) Ferrari is not alone. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said the team expects “an entirely new MCL40” across Miami and Canada, and Formula 1’s official preview said he expects rivals to arrive with similarly heavy revisions. (formula1.com) That helps explain why Miami has become the key checkpoint on the early 2026 calendar. The weekend uses the Sprint format, with Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying on May 1, the Sprint and main Qualifying on May 2, and the Grand Prix on May 3. (formula1.com) McLaren has also stirred attention off-track. Motorsport.com reported on April 26 that a Sega-themed Miami poster triggered fan speculation about a special Ayrton Senna tribute livery. (motorsport.com) For Ferrari, the simpler measure is points. If the “package and a half” works in Miami, the team gets its first real chance to cut into Mercedes’ 45-point lead before the calendar starts moving quickly again. (formula1.com) (planetf1.com)
