Brundle analyzes Miami GP: Antonelli's win, Verstappen's 'genius' spin, and positive rule tweaks

Kimi Antonelli secured his third consecutive victory in a thrilling Miami Grand Prix, holding off a charging Lando Norris after a race featuring multiple lead changes, dramatic spins, and a positive first test of recent technical rule adjustments. The event provided a much-needed exciting spectacle for Formula 1, showcasing the potential of the 2026 cars after early-season struggles.

Why it matters:

The Miami GP served as a critical litmus test for the 2026 technical regulations after a controversial and disjointed start to the season. A compelling race was essential to counter early criticism and demonstrate the new cars' racing potential. The apparent success of recent power unit software tweaks, aimed at smoothing power delivery and managing closing speeds, offers hope for more consistent and engaging competition moving forward.

The Details:

• Antonelli's Strategic Win: Starting from pole, the Mercedes teenager engaged in a fierce battle with Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris before Mercedes executed a perfect undercut pit stop on Lap 26. This strategic move gave Antonelli the track position he needed to defend against Norris to the checkered flag for a well-earned win.
• Verstappen's Remarkable Recovery: Max Verstappen spun on Lap 1 after being pinched by Leclerc at Turn 2. In what Martin Brundle called a moment of "genius," Verstappen performed a controlled 360-degree spin in front of the pack, using throttle and steering to minimize time loss and continue in ninth place, eventually recovering to fifth.
• Rule Tweaks Show Promise: Technical adjustments made during the early-season break, designed to share hybrid power more evenly around a lap and reduce extreme closing speeds, received a positive first outing. Drivers reported greater happiness with the cars' behavior, which appeared "fast and alive" on the Miami circuit.
• Leclerc's Costly Final Lap: Charles Leclerc, running third, was passed by Oscar Piastri on the penultimate lap. On the final lap, Leclerc spun, hit the barrier, and then incurred a 20-second penalty for cutting chicanes in a damaged car in a failed attempt to hold position, dropping him to a despondent eighth place.
• Mixed Fortunes for Others: George Russell salvaged fourth for Mercedes, while Lewis Hamilton was a subdued sixth for Ferrari. Williams scored a double points finish with Carlos Sainz ninth and Alex Albon tenth, a relief for the team.

What's next:

The positive reception to the racing in Miami provides momentum as F1 heads to Montreal for the Canadian Grand Prix, another Sprint weekend.

• Teams will continue to converge in performance as they further understand and refine their packages under the new regulations.
• The battle at the front appears to be tightening, with McLaren and Ferrari's updates bringing them closer to Mercedes, setting the stage for an intense development race throughout the season.