Formula 1 returns after the enforced spring break with the Miami Grand Prix this weekend – and the second sprint race of the 2026 season.
Due to the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of the ongoing conflict in the Gulf, F1 was absent over April but, behind the scenes, teams were working hard to close the gap on Mercedes. In addition, F1 and the FIA agreed on a set of tweaks to the controversial 2026 regulations.
Kimi Antonelli won the last race in Japan after benefiting from a well-timed safety car. The Italian 19-year-old leads the world championship by nine points over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who was cut a frustrated figure at Suzuka in finishing fourth.
Reigning world champions McLaren found themselves back on the podium with Oscar Piastri’s second-place finish while Charles Leclerc came home third for Ferrari. After the last race, four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen also revealed he was considering quitting the sport at the end of the season. Will the rule changes, to be first seen in Miami, make a difference? Here’s everything you need to know about the Japanese Grand Prix.
Driver standings after Miami GP sprint
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) – 77 points
2. George Russell (Mercedes) – 67 points
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) – 55 points
4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) – 43 points
5. Lando Norris (McLaren) – 33 points
6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) -28 points
7. Ollie Bearman (Haas) – 17 points
8. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) – 16 points
9. Max Verstappen Red Bull) – 15 points
10. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) – 10 points
11. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) – 4 points
12. Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) – 4 points
13. Carlos Sainz (Williams) – 2 points
14. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) – 2 points
15. Franco Colapinto (Alpine) – 1 point
16. Esteban Ocon (Haas) – 1 point
17. Alex Albon (Williams) – 0 points
18. Sergio Perez (Cadillac) – 0 points
19. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi) – 0 points
20. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac) – 0 points
21. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) – 0 points
22. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) – 0 points
Constructor standings after Miami GP sprint
1. Mercedes – 144 points
2. Ferrari – 98 points
3. McLaren – 61 points
4. Red Bull – 19 points
5. Haas – 18 points
6. Alpine – 17 points
7. Racing Bulls – 14 points
8. Audi – 2 points
9. Williams – 2 points
10. Cadillac – 0 points
11. Aston Martin – 0 points
What is the 2026 race calendar?
ROUND 4 – MIAMI (sprint weekend)
Miami International Autodrome, Hard Rock Stadium – 1-3 May
ROUND 5 – CANADA (sprint weekend)
Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Montreal – 22-24 May
ROUND 6 – MONACO
Circuit de Monaco – 5-7 June
ROUND 7- SPAIN (Barcelona)
Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya – 12-14 June
ROUND 8 – AUSTRIA
Red Bull Ring, Spielberg – 26-28 June
ROUND 9 – GREAT BRITAIN (sprint weekend)
Silverstone Circuit – 3-5 July
ROUND 10 – BELGIUM
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps – 17-19 July
ROUND 11 – HUNGARY
Hungaroring, Budapest – 24-26 July
ROUND 12 – NETHERLANDS (sprint weekend)
Circuit Zandvoort – 21-23 August
ROUND 13 – ITALY
Monza Circuit – 4-6 September
ROUND 14 – SPAIN (Madrid)
Circuito de Madring – 11-13 September
ROUND 15 – AZERBAIJAN
Baku City Circuit – 25-27 September
ROUND 16 – SINGAPORE (sprint weekend)
Marina Bay Street Circuit – 9-11 October
ROUND 17 – UNITED STATES
Circuit of the Americas, Austin – 23-25 October
ROUND 18 – MEXICO
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City – 30 October-1 November
ROUND 19 – BRAZIL
Interlagos Circuit, Sao Paulo – 6-8 November
ROUND 20 – LAS VEGAS
Las Vegas Street Circuit – 19-21 November
ROUND 21 – QATAR
Lusail International Circuit – 27-29 November
ROUND 22 – ABU DHABI
Yas Marina Circuit – 4-6 December
