What to Expect from Miami GP FP1 as F1 Returns from Its April Break
Formula 1 is finally back on track in Miami, and FP1 may be far more important than usual.
After a five-week break caused by the postponement of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, teams arrive in Miami with extra factory time, more data to review, and potentially some important upgrades to test. Formula 1 has also confirmed that the only practice session of the Miami Grand Prix weekend has been extended to 90 minutes, giving teams extra running before Sprint Qualifying begins.
That makes Miami GP FP1 one of the most important practice sessions of the 2026 season so far.
Why Miami FP1 matters more than usual
Miami is a Sprint weekend, which means teams usually get very little practice time before competitive sessions begin.
Normally, that creates pressure. Teams have to understand the tyres, confirm set-up direction, test any new parts, and prepare for Sprint Qualifying in a very short window. This year, that challenge is even bigger because F1 is returning after an unusually long April break.
Reuters reported that Formula 1 arrives in Miami with rule tweaks, upgrades, and renewed focus after the forced break, with McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull all expected to be part of the development conversation.
That means FP1 will not just be about learning the track. It could give us our first proper clue about which teams used the April gap best.
Upgrades could change the order
The biggest thing to watch in Miami FP1 will be upgrades.
The early 2026 pecking order has Mercedes ahead, Ferrari chasing, McLaren trying to respond, and Red Bull looking for answers. But after several weeks away from racing, Miami could reveal which teams have found real performance.
McLaren are expected to bring major changes, while Ferrari and Red Bull are also likely to be watched closely after the break.
For Red Bull, FP1 could be especially important. Their RB22 has looked difficult to balance in the opening races, so the extended session gives them more time to compare set-ups, understand upgrades, and check whether the April break has helped them move in the right direction.
Mercedes will be the benchmark
Mercedes arrive in Miami as the team everyone is chasing.
They have won the opening three races of the season, with Kimi Antonelli becoming one of the biggest stories of 2026 so far. Reuters noted that Antonelli leads the championship and is aiming for a third consecutive win in Miami.
FP1 will therefore be important for the chasing pack. If Ferrari, McLaren, or Red Bull look close to Mercedes early on, the weekend could become very interesting. If Mercedes still look comfortable, it may suggest their early-season advantage is not going away quickly.
Red Bull need signs of progress
Red Bull may be one of the most watched teams in FP1.
Their difficult start to 2026 has raised big questions about the RB22, their new power unit package, and the effect of recent structural changes inside the team. The April break gave them time to study the car, work through simulator data, and prepare potential updates before Miami.
The extended 90-minute session gives Red Bull a rare chance to gather more information before the Sprint format locks the weekend into competitive mode. If Max Verstappen looks more comfortable, or if Isack Hadjar is closer to the front, it could be the first sign that Red Bull have found a better direction.
McLaren could be the team to watch
McLaren may also be one of the biggest FP1 storylines.
Their start to 2026 has not matched their title-winning form from last season, but the April break gives them a chance to respond. Reuters reported that McLaren are bringing a heavily changed car to Miami, which makes their FP1 pace especially interesting.
The key question is whether their upgrades deliver immediately, or whether they need more time to understand the new package.
In a Sprint weekend, there is not much room for trial and error.
What fans should watch during FP1
The timing screens will matter, but they will not tell the full story.
In FP1, the most important signs will be how stable the cars look, how quickly teams settle on a set-up, and whether upgraded cars look predictable through Miami’s slower corners and long straights.
Watch for:
- Whether Mercedes still look comfortable
- Whether Red Bull appear more stable than before
- Whether McLaren’s updates work straight away
- Whether Ferrari have closed the gap
- Whether teams complete clean long runs
- Whether any reliability issues appear after the long break
Because this is the only practice session before Sprint Qualifying, mistakes in FP1 could shape the entire weekend.
Final thoughts
Miami GP FP1 may only be practice, but this year it carries real weight.
After the April break, teams have had time to rethink, upgrade, and reset. Mercedes will want to prove they are still the team to beat. Ferrari and McLaren will want to show they have closed the gap. Red Bull will want signs that their recovery has started.
With FP1 extended to 90 minutes, we should get a better picture than usual.
It may not decide the Miami Grand Prix, but it could tell us which teams are ready to attack the next phase of the 2026 season — and which teams are still searching for answers.
