5 reasons why Miami GP is exactly what F1 needed

Formula 1 had its most thrilling weekend of racing this year at the Miami Grand Prix. That's exactly the remedy for the sport after a five-week break and uneasy start to the season due to criticism over its new cars.

Here's five reasons why Miami was the momentum changer F1 desperately needed.

The perfect amount of chaos

Sunday's grand prix ended with an identical outcome as the other races this year, but there was nothing predictable about it. The day began with anxiety over forecasted rainstorms, and while those fears weren't realized, just the threat of weather provided the same chaos that's expected from a wet race.

Teams took the fight to Mercedes from start to finish, as the Silver Arrows and Kimi Antonelli barely extended their winning streaks. Four different teams led Sunday's race, as Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull spent time leading the pack. Drama started on Lap 1, with Charles Leclerc taking the lead after Max Verstappen did a 360-degree spin. Leclerc saved some dramatics of his own for the final lap too, spinning into a wall and then fighting Verstappen and George Russell to the finish.

The FIA likely pictured races looking exactly like Sunday's non-stop action when it drew up the 2026 regulations. Hopefully that's a good sign for the rest of the season.

Rule changes serve their purpose

There was no talk after Miami about super clipping, mega joules, or any of the new buzzwords surrounding the abnormalities of the new cars and their energy-starved power units. The conversation exclusively focused on the race itself. Qualifying felt more flat-out, with both shootouts for pole bringing the edge-of-your-seat drama. Energy levels still played a factor in overtaking during the race, but it didn't feel like the only element in the equation.

Drivers were rewarded for having the awareness to overtake into Turn 11, while those who went for the lunge at Turn 17 got passed often on the ensuing straight. It may not be perfect, but F1's rule tweaks restored the sense that the driving would be left up to the drivers.

McLaren enters contention for wins

Nothing makes F1 fans apathetic toward the product faster than domination. F1 needed a foil to Mercedes after the Silver Arrows swept the first three race weekends. McLaren answered the call. Just like two years ago in Miami, McLaren's upgrade package propelled the reigning constructors' champions to the front. Lando Norris won Saturday's sprint from pole, becoming the first non-Mercedes driver to win in any format this year. He nearly followed that up with a victory Sunday, but had to settle for second after losing the lead to Antonelli in the pits. Mercedes dodged a bullet, but McLaren stripped its rival of its air of invincibility.

Verstappen returns to the front

Let's be honest: winning in F1 means more when drivers go through world champions such as Verstappen. It was a welcome sight to see the four-time champ line up on the front row Sunday, even if his race - and potential podium opportunity - was quickly spoiled by a spin on the opening lap. Red Bull - like it usually does - extracted pace from its car over the layoff that only Verstappen could harness. Finally feeling more comfortable in his RB22 car, the Dutchman shocked the paddock, qualifying just 0.166 seconds off pole. Verstappen teased leaving F1 over the new regulations, but he still has unfinished business in sport. That's good news for everyone, except his rivals.

Backmarkers clean up their act

F1 touted the 2026 season as the first in a decade to feature 11 teams. But the grid didn't appear to contain 11 teams worthy of being involved over the first three races. That changed in Miami. Both Aston Martin drivers finished a GP race for the first time this year. Carlos Sainz and Alex Albon also scored points, giving Williams its first double-points finish in a race since Monaco last year. Both Cadillac drivers completed another grand prix without major issues - a pleasant sight for its first home race. These teams still have a ways to go, but at least there isn't a laughing stock on the grid anymore.

Daniel Valente is theScore's lead Formula 1 writer. Daniel has covered the sport for multiple years, conducting analysis and interviewing key figures inside the paddock. His expertise is breaking down data and discovering unique stats. Follow Daniel on X at @F1GuyDan.