Antonelli Survives Miami Chaos as Weather Forces Schedule Reshuffle

Miami Delivers Chaos and Drama

The 2026 Miami Grand Prix unfolded under exceptional circumstances, with severe weather forcing race organisers to shift the start time from the scheduled 4pm ET to 1pm local time. According to Autosport, the decision aimed to avoid the worst of incoming thunderstorms, a significant logistical intervention that set the tone for a turbulent weekend.

Support races were cancelled entirely as rain arrived at the Miami International Autodrome, as RacingNews365 reported. The disruptions underscored the volatility of the new-for-2026 regulations, which Autosport noted had received mixed reception since their debut earlier in the season.

Antonelli Prevails in Competitive Battle

Despite the challenging conditions, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured victory, according to The Race, extending his championship lead in the process. Antonelli's win marked his third grand prix victory of the year, as Motorsport.com reported, though the Race noted his success was far from straightforward, with a close chase from McLaren's Lando Norris testing his composure throughout the race.

The result reflects Antonelli's strong form this season: according to the standings data provided by Motorsport.com, he now leads the drivers' championship with 100 points, with Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and teammate George Russell following in the points.

Technical Drama Off-Track

The Miami weekend also saw technical controversy. Autosport confirmed that Red Bull's Isack Hadjar was officially disqualified from qualifying after his RB22 breached Article C3.5.5 of the F1 regulations, with floorboards on both the left and right hand sides exceeding permitted dimensions.

Rule Changes Under Scrutiny

Miami served as the first practical examination of F1's 2026 rule modifications since the new regulations' debut. Autosport reported that the US race premiered a handful of safety and spectacle-focused tweaks designed to address early concerns about the smaller, lighter cars that define this season's technical direction.