From 305 to 2041: Miami Grand Prix Review

Welcome back to another edition and what a weekend we have lined up. Miami, the glitz, the sun, and now the long-term commitment. Yes, it’s official: the Miami Grand Prix contract has been extended all the way to 2041. From the 305 to 2041 ,F1 is here to stay.

The Track: Miami’s Sprint Weekend Challenge

This year, Miami brings us a sprint weekend (yes, it is a sprint weekend, again), and that means chaos compressed into two high-stakes days before Sunday’s main event. The Miami International Autodrome is not exactly known for electrifying overtakes it’s a street-style circuit wrapped around Hard Rock Stadium with 19 corners and more technical awkwardness than flow.

The overtaking problem, however, might just be getting some attention. The DRS zone near Turn 11 historically the best hope for a bold move has now been extended by an additional 75 meters. The activation point now sits just beyond Turn 9, which is a much-needed tweak on a layout that often rewards qualifying far more than racecraft.

In fact, Miami’s layout has given us little to work with in terms of strategy over the past few years. It’s a qualifying track. If you’re not in the top 5 by Turn 1 on Sunday, you’re likely staying there unless weather decides otherwise.

The Weather Gods Might Deliver

Speaking of which: forecasts are calling for rain on both Saturday and Sunday. If it happens, this could blow the weekend wide open. Rain could introduce tire chaos, pit strategy curveballs, and those deliciously unpredictable sprint and race sessions. If there was ever a way to spice up a somewhat sterile circuit, it’s with a bit of good old-fashioned Florida downpour.

FP1 Recap: It’s Already Spicy

Free Practice 1 gave us some signals and surprises. Oscar Piastri topped the timesheets (P1), followed by Charles Leclerc (P2), and Max Verstappen in P3. Lando Norris, strangely, didn’t look dialed in, he even had a stray tool like a torch in his cockpit on Lap 1. Something felt slightly off in that McLaren, which is ironic considering they’re still the clear favorites heading into the rest of the season. But hey, this is F1, we’ll take any crack in the armor.

Oliver Bearman had a session to forget, crashing with just four minutes to go. But that’s part of sprint weekends: unpredictable, high-risk, low-time prep. With changing weather conditions and limited track time, setup decisions are going to be crucial — and likely wrong for someone.

Off the Track: Babies, Barbie Memes, and Bold Liveries

Let’s take a moment to congratulate Max Verstappen and Kelly Piquet on the birth of their daughter. While some are speculating how fatherhood will affect Max’s racing, let’s be honest — Max is a switch-flip kind of driver. On track, he’s as relentless as ever. If anything, he looked sharper today. Just a little happier, maybe.

Now to the real drama: the liveries. This Miami GP has brought out some of the boldest, most divisive team designs we’ve seen in years.

• Visa Cash App RB (Racing Bulls) went full gender reveal party, and honestly? It works. A beautiful blend of white and pink, and they nailed the vibe. Red Bull’s Barbie meme welcoming them as neighbors? 10/10.

• Mercedes went with a bold pink-maroon twist one of their most eye-catching kits in ages.

• Sauber… looks like a Nickelodeon cartoon. You’ll either love it or wonder if slime is a sponsor.

• And Ferrari? Just NO. What could’ve been an elegant blue-and-white Miami tribute turned into a sponsor patchwork quilt. It’s giving “We sold half the car.” As Lewis Hamilton once joked on Drive to Survive: “Half car, half car.” Now we’re seeing it live.

All in all, Miami might still not be the perfect Grand Prix track, but there’s enough going on this weekend to keep us watching. Rain, sprint madness, new liveries, setup gambles, and maybe just maybe ,a proper fight at the front. Piastri vs. Leclerc vs. Verstappen? Sign me up.

See you after the checkered flag.