Last week, team bosses, engine manufacturers, drivers, and promoters of Formula 1, along with motorsport authorities, reached an agreement to adjust the rules in qualifying and racing that the International Automobile Federation (FIA) had imposed this year to improve the spectacle, particularly by promoting overtaking.
However, this overhaul has disrupted the way of driving, especially due to the complex management of electrical energy, leading to sharp criticisms from some, such as four-time world champion Max Verstappen of Red Bull, who has struggled in the championship and criticized the new regulations.
The regulatory changes that will be implemented in Miami this weekend, including reducing the energy management for drivers and allowing them to push more during qualifications, are not expected to significantly alter the current balance of power, with Mercedes, which dominated in March, likely to confirm its supremacy.
“No one believed that the patient, our discipline, was in intensive care. There were clearly issues to address, but we were not in intensive care,” emphasized Nikolas Tombazis, head of single-seater racing at the FIA.
“Maybe the patient needs a little more exercise, eat a couple of apples a day, take vitamins, and that’s what we set out to do. It’s an evolution, not a revolution,” he added.
The unexpected five-week break between the Japanese GP and the Florida event, caused by the Middle East conflict leading to the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, has allowed teams to calmly work on their cars to make improvements for the Miami race.
McLaren, the two-time defending constructor’s champion, will be closely watched this weekend, as in recent years, the English team introduced successful new features in Florida, such as in 2024 when Lando Norris scored his first Grand Prix victory at the Hard Rock Stadium.
Mercedes, which has comfortably won the first three races of the season, also tried to progress in April to maintain its lead but expects rivals to close the gap in Miami.
“After a month without a race, we are ready to hit the track again. This break allowed us to analyze our early races to work on our weaknesses to continue improving. We have started the season well, but it’s pointless if we rest on our laurels,” explained Toto Wolff, the head of the German team.
“We also know that our rivals will have used this break to deepen their understanding of their car and improve it, so we expect the teams to be closer,” highlighted the Austrian executive.
The Miami International Autodrome weekend promises to be intense, with the Florida round featuring the second sprint race of the season. Consequently, there will only be one free practice session instead of three, prompting the FIA to extend its duration from 60 to 90 minutes to allow teams and drivers more time to adapt to the regulatory adjustments ahead of qualifying sessions.
