The Top Formula 1 Drivers to Watch at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix

(From left) Kimi Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen Credit: Kym Illman/Getty; Hector Vivas - Formula 1/Formula 1 via Getty; Clive Mason/Getty NEED TO KNOW The 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix takes place from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3 There's a diverse group of drivers to watch, from rising newcomers to F1 legends The Miami Grand Prix picks up after a five-week, 35-day hiatus from competition The countdown to the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix is on! While it can be hard to catch them as they whiz around the 3. 36-mile Miami International Autodrome track at upwards of 200 to 205 mph, be sure to keep your eyes out for these F1 drivers on Sunday, May 3.

The Miami Grand Prix is an exciting one for various reasons—this year, especially. In addition to the star-studded attendees, who are expected to swarm the sports scene much like years past, this race marks a long-awaited return from a five-week, 35-day hiatus from competition. Prior to the break in the F1 schedule, which paused due to cancelations of the Bahrain Grand Prix (April 12) and the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix (April 19) due to ongoing security concerns in the Middle East, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes won the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka on March 29.

The victory was a monumental one for the 19-year-old Italian driver, who became the youngest driver to lead the Formula One World Championship. The event at Suzuka International Racing Course marked his second consecutive pole and victory. Heading into the Miami Grand Prix, which consists of 57 laps around the track, and features 12 left-hand turns and seven right-hand turns, Antonelli leads the F1 Drivers' Championship with 72 points, followed closely by Mercedes teammate George Russell with 63 points.

Now, read on for the F1 drivers to watch in Miami. Kimi Antonelli Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy walks in the paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami Credit: Kym Illman/Getty All eyes are on the 19-year-old Antonelli, who is on a history-making winning streak with two consecutive victories at the Chinese Grand Prix and the Japanese Grand Prix. As a result, the Italian, in his second F1 season, is the youngest driver in Formula 1 history to lead the World Championship.