(Motorsport-Total.com) – After Mercedes had to give up ground for the first time in the sprint qualifying on Friday, the victory in the sprint race also did not go to the Silver Arrows for the first time: Lando Norris is the winner of the Formula 1 sprint in Miami (follow live here in the ticker).
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The world champion secured a safe victory ahead of his McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who took the other places in the top 3.
For Mercedes, only fourth and sixth places remained. Antonelli once again had a poor start and lost several positions in the first lap, so his chances of winning were gone early on.
Although he finished in fourth place, he was later given a five-second penalty for repeatedly exceeding track limits, which dropped him behind Max Verstappen (Red Bull) to sixth place.
The Dutchman himself engaged in a close battle with Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) and ultimately prevailed ahead of the Briton. The last point went to Pierre Gasly (Alpine).
Nico Hülkenberg was unable to participate in the sprint race due to a defect in his car, as was Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad.
The most important points in brief
Result: Sprint in Miami 2026
World Championship standings after the Miami sprint (Drivers’ Championship)
World Championship standings after the Miami sprint (Constructors’ Championship)
Photos: Grand Prix of Miami 2026
How was the decision for the victory made?
Definitely not with yo-yo racing this time. Basically, from Norris’s perspective, the race was decided after the start. He held the lead ahead of teammate Piastri and brought it safely to the finish. The Australian always kept a respectful distance and never attacked. Instead, Piastri had to watch Leclerc in his rearview mirror.
“I think Lando possibly benefited from being the leading car – with a clear track,” says team principal Andrea Stella on Sky. “Possibly anyone who came out first from the first lap could have won the sprint today.”
How did the start go?
As has often happened before, Antonelli did not get off well from the front row at all, gifting McLaren a double lead. Even teammate Russell passed the Italian, who, however, got back ahead of the second Mercedes in the first corner.
Antonelli laments: “We worked hard during the break, and as far as I’m concerned, I did everything right with the procedures for the first time. So we have to check what happened; the grip was very low, probably lower than we expected.”
According to motorsport chief Toto Wolff, Antonelli did nothing wrong. “It was a glitch on our side,” he defends the youngster.
Behind them, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Franco Colapinto got in each other’s way, with the Red Bull sandwiched between the other two but ultimately prevailing.
Antonelli then fought against Leclerc to overtake him for third place, which the Monegasque did not like: “Kimi is so bad in duels,” he complained over the radio. “We’re going to cause an accident.”
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Otherwise, there were no incidents in the first lap.
What incidents occurred in the sprint?
The biggest controversy was probably a duel between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton in lap eight. Verstappen attacked at the end of the back straight but went off track and took the Ferrari with him. The Ferrari driver complained that he was overtaken off track – but Verstappen gave the position back to him in the same lap.
But he did not pass Verstappen quickly enough, as the Dutchman says: “I had to let him pass, but he doesn’t go by. That’s how we lose four seconds because he just stays behind me,” the Dutchman wonders. “We wasted our time there. I don’t know what else I could have done, so that’s a bit of a shame.”
Soon after, Esteban Ocon’s Haas broke down in the middle of the straight and was collected by Alexander Albon (Williams). The Thai driver went to the pits shortly after to get a new front wing.
Why did Antonelli receive a penalty?
Antonelli actually finished in fourth place but was later demoted to sixth. The Italian repeatedly violated track limits during the sprint. He had already received a warning, but due to another offense in turn 11, he finally received the penalty.
George Russell and Max Verstappen benefited from this, moving up to fourth and fifth places.
Why couldn’t Nico Hülkenberg race?
After technical problems in the pits, Audi driver Nico Hülkenberg went out on track before the sprint start but did not get far: On the way to the starting grid, his Audi R26 began to smoke and then catch fire, suspected to be a drivetrain failure. Hülkenberg therefore parked his car at the side of the track and got out. This sealed his non-participation in the Miami sprint.
There was also no sprint for Arvid Lindblad: The Racing Bulls driver was supposed to start from the pits but did not take the race.
Why was there a minute of silence before the start?
Formula 1 held a minute of silence in memory of Alessandro Zanardi, who passed away on May 1. The Italian had his greatest motorsport successes as a ChampCar driver in the USA and won the title twice. In Formula 1, Zanardi was not able to establish himself: in 41 races, he scored points only once. (More about this in the Formula 1 database!)
“A very special man, driver, athlete, a true symbol and role model for what it means to love life, and an inspiration to everyone,” honors McLaren team principal Andrea Stella on Sky and says: “This victory is for him.”
What’s next at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix
The Formula 1 Saturday (April 2) in Miami continues from 10 p.m. with qualifying for the race on Sunday. Kevin Scheuren and Stefan Ehlen will report from 1 a.m. in the livestream on the Formel1.de YouTube channel and discuss all important topics about the sprint and qualifying.
On Sunday, the race start in Miami is scheduled for 10 p.m. (follow the race here in the Formula 1 live ticker!). At 2 a.m., Kevin Scheuren and Stefan Ehlen will start their Grand Prix analysis. As always, channel members can ask their questions live.
All information about streams and TV broadcasts in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland can be found in our current overview. Details about the weather forecast are available in our preview.
After Miami, Formula 1 will take a short break. The next Grand Prix will take place on May 24, 2026, in Montreal (Canada). (View the 2026 race calendar here!)
Read more Track limit violation: Antonelli loses two positions in the Miami sprint