Fórmula 1 resumes Mundial 2026 activities this weekend after an atypical interruption in the calendar. The cancellation of the Bahrein and Arábia Saudita stages in April forced a month’s hiatus, making the Miami GP the grid’s reunion point. The Flórida race, the fourth stage of the season, carries the responsibility of testing technical solutions developed to remedy critical flaws highlighted by drivers in the first races of the year.
The period of inactivity was not silent behind the scenes in the top category. Pressões for safety and competitiveness resulted in a reform in the energy recovery protocols of the new power units. Além of technical issues, the paddock arrives at Estados Unidos with news in management positions and updates on immediate sporting regulations. The central focus is on the phenomenon of “superclipping”, which generated instability in the cars and formal complaints from competitors.
Ajustes in the electrical system and combating superclipping
The category management promoted severe changes in the functioning of the batteries for the Miami GP. The measure responds directly to the accident of Oliver Bearman in Japão, caused by difficulties in managing the electrical load. Agora, there will be a reduction in the amount of energy recovered during qualifying laps. On the other hand, the maximum power available in the propulsion system was increased to reduce the mandatory recharging time on the track.
Para to level performance and ensure mechanical integrity, new operating ceilings have been established:
- 150 kW Limite for riders extra boost button.
- Restrição from using the MGU-K only for effective acceleration points.
- Implementação automatic monitoring system for low speed vehicles.
- Limitação compulsory recovery system in wet conditions.
- MGU-K emergency Ativação to prevent collisions in case of failure to start.
Modified Cronograma and longer training sessions on Flórida
The organization of the Miami GP decided to increase the available track time before defining the grid. Como drivers spent thirty days away from single-seaters, the single free practice session will last 90 minutes, compared to the usual 60 minutes. Essa extension is critical for teams to validate software changes and new power parameters under elevated temperatures. The change caused a ripple effect on Friday’s official schedule.
The classification for the Sprint race was delayed by 30 minutes compared to the original plan. Anteriormente scheduled for 5:30 pm, the session should now start at 6 pm, Brasília time. The adjustment aims to ensure that the interval between the end of free training and the start of the official competition is sufficient for repairs and telemetry analysis. Max Verstappen, who kept pace competing in touring categories during the break, is one of the few arriving with recent mileage in high-level competitions.
Dança from the chairs and vetoing classification tactics
The FIA ended a controversial technical that directly involved Mercedes and Red Bull before the arrival of Miami. Investigações pointed out that both teams used a trick to interrupt the discharge of the MGU-K at strategic moments. The objective was to keep the battery at maximum level, generating a temporary gain of up to 100 kW. From this weekend onwards, such a maneuver is prohibited and is only permitted in situations of breakdown or imminent risk of breakdown.
On the administrative front, Audi, which is preparing for official entry, announced Allan McNish as racing director. The former driver takes over the operational management of the team that includes the Brazilian Gabriel Bortoleto. Ele will divide his time between track strategies and supervising the German brand’s young talent academy. Simultaneamente, Red Bull has revamped its internal engineering following the announcement of Gianpiero Lambiase’s upcoming departure to McLaren in 2028. Andrea Landi and Bem Waterhouse have taken on leadership roles in design and performance to sustain the Austrian team’s competitiveness.