Kimi Antonelli won the race, extending his championship lead over Russell to 20 points. Meanwhile, Leclerc finished in sixth place after a spin on the final lap.

Russell collided with Verstappen at Turn 17, which led to both drivers being summoned by the stewards. Verstappen ultimately finished fifth after a series of aggressive overtakes.

Leclerc is also under investigation for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, while Verstappen faces scrutiny for crossing the pit exit line. These investigations highlight the intense competition among top drivers in Formula 1.

The Miami Grand Prix featured a tumultuous final lap with several key incidents:

• Russell made contact with Verstappen during their battle.
• Leclerc dropped to sixth after hitting the wall following a spin.
• Russell was involved in two investigations, including one concerning Verstappen.

Lando Norris expressed frustration over the race outcome, stating, “How did we not win this?” This sentiment reflects the competitive nature of the event.

The stewards will review these late-race incidents involving Russell, Leclerc, and Verstappen. Observers expect rulings to be announced soon as tensions rise in the championship standings.

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Lando Norris finished in second place, while Oscar Piastri secured third. George Russell ended the race in fourth, over 40 seconds behind Antonelli. Max Verstappen placed fifth after facing an investigation for a potential pit exit violation.

The race took place at the Miami International Autodrome, which started three hours earlier than scheduled due to forecasts of lightning storms. The event featured multiple incidents, including crashes involving Isack Hadjar and Pierre Gasly, leading to a dramatic start.

Key race statistics:

• Kimi Antonelli achieved 3 consecutive race wins.
• Lando Norris finished second, followed closely by Oscar Piastri in third.
• George Russell was more than 40 seconds behind the leader.
• Max Verstappen spun a full 360 degrees, finishing fifth.
• Charles Leclerc ended up in sixth place after hitting the wall.
• Nico Hulkenberg, Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly, and Isack Hadjar did not finish the race.

The race was characterized by an electric first lap filled with significant incidents. Despite predictions, the anticipated rain did not arrive during the competition. Observers noted that Antonelli’s victory signifies a shift in Formula 1 dynamics, particularly with Mercedes’ apparent loss of pace dominance.

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In a surprising twist, Kimi Antonelli qualified second, just two tenths behind Norris. Oscar Piastri followed closely in third place, while Charles Leclerc secured fourth after leading practice sessions. Max Verstappen and George Russell rounded out the top six, with Lewis Hamilton finishing seventh despite showing faster times earlier in the day.

Key qualifying positions:

• Lando Norris: 1st (1:27.869)
• Kimi Antonelli: 2nd (0.222 seconds behind)
• Oscar Piastri: 3rd (0.239 seconds behind)
• Charles Leclerc: 4th (0.370 seconds behind)
• Max Verstappen: 5th (0.592 seconds behind)
• George Russell: 6th (0.624 seconds behind)
• Lewis Hamilton: 7th (0.749 seconds behind)

Norris expressed his satisfaction with the performance, stating, “I feel very good. I’m very happy for the team.” He acknowledged that a lot of work had gone into bringing these upgrades to fruition. George Russell also commented on McLaren’s progress, noting how impressive their jump has been this season.

This qualifying session featured a total of 22 cars, with six eliminated in both SQ1 and SQ2 rounds. Notably, Lance Stroll did not set a time due to an early spin, while Fernando Alonso struggled with car issues that hampered his performance.

The contrasting upgrade strategies between teams have become evident; McLaren introduced substantial improvements while Mercedes opted for fewer upgrades compared to their competitors like Ferrari and Red Bull.

As teams prepare for the race, observers are keenly watching how these developments will impact overall performance throughout the rest of the season.

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The Japanese Grand Prix, scheduled for March 29, 2026, at the Suzuka Circuit, is poised to be a pivotal event in the Formula 1 calendar. With Mercedes aiming for their third consecutive victory at this iconic track, the stakes are high for all teams involved.

Mercedes has dominated the Japanese Grand Prix in recent years, while Ferrari is desperate to secure their first Grand Prix win since 2024. The last time Ferrari triumphed at Suzuka was in 2004, highlighting the challenge they face against a formidable Mercedes team.

Max Verstappen remains undefeated at Suzuka since Formula 1’s return to the venue in 2022, adding to the pressure on rival teams. McLaren, on the other hand, is looking to rebound from a disappointing double DNS in Shanghai, with Lando Norris expressing cautious optimism about their chances.

“I believe we can get close but I also know how good Mercedes are,” Norris stated, reflecting the competitive landscape of the race. McLaren’s team has acknowledged their struggles, stating, “The only way is up,” as they aim to improve their performance.

The Suzuka Circuit, known for its challenging figure-of-eight layout, has been a staple of the F1 calendar since 1987, with only four seasons missed. The upcoming race weekend is expected to feature temperatures in the high teens, and notably, no rain is forecast, which could influence race strategies.

Fans can tune in to watch the race live on Sky Sports F1, with the event starting at 6 AM UK time. The timing coincides with Japan’s cherry blossom season, adding a picturesque backdrop to the high-speed action.

As the 2026 season progresses, there are still 20 races remaining after Japan, making this event crucial for teams looking to gain momentum. With two practice sessions scheduled before the race, teams will have limited time to finalize their setups.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding any last-minute changes to the race format or team lineups, but the excitement surrounding the Japanese Grand Prix continues to build.

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Max Verstappen’s controversial ejection of journalist Giles Richards from a press conference at the Japanese Grand Prix has drawn significant attention, highlighting tensions between drivers and the media. The incident, which occurred on March 26, 2026, in Suzuka, Japan, stemmed from a question Richards posed regarding Verstappen’s performance during the 2025 season finale in Abu Dhabi.

During the press conference, Verstappen refused to begin speaking until Richards left the room, stating, “Get out. Yeah. Get out.” This confrontation was reportedly triggered not only by the content of Richards’ question but also by the manner in which it was asked. The question referenced an earlier incident where Verstappen received a 10-second penalty for a collision with George Russell at the Spanish Grand Prix, which ultimately cost him nine points in the championship standings.

Richards, who has covered Formula One for over a decade and has interviewed Verstappen approximately a dozen times, expressed his disappointment over the incident. He described feeling “deeply disappointed” by Verstappen’s actions and stated, “I still admire Verstappen and I hope we can enjoy a better relationship in the future.” This sentiment reflects a desire for reconciliation despite the heated exchange.

The press pack present during the incident voiced their shock and concern for Richards’ wellbeing, marking the event as an extremely rare occurrence in F1 journalism. Following the press conference, Richards received an abusive email accusing him of bias in Formula One, further complicating the situation. An anonymous sender harshly criticized him, saying, “You’re the problem. You’re the toxic dipshit who’s responsible for the whole British bias in F1. You’re the worst.”

Richards’ question about Verstappen’s regrets regarding the incident with Russell was significant, as it touched on a pivotal moment in the championship race. Verstappen’s reaction indicates the heightened emotions surrounding the competition, especially given that he narrowly missed retaining his title by just two points.

As the fallout from this incident continues, observers are left to ponder the implications for media relations in Formula One. The dynamics between drivers and journalists are crucial for the sport’s transparency and public image, and incidents like this can create a rift that may take time to mend.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding any potential repercussions for Verstappen or the impact this incident may have on future press interactions. The expectation is that both Verstappen and Richards will need to navigate this challenging situation moving forward, with the hope that mutual respect can be restored in their professional relationship.

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