Mercedes beware as Lando Norris puts McLaren on Sprint pole in Miami after big upgrades

Formula 1 returned after a four week break with an extended 90 minute practice session at the Miami International Autodrome, giving teams valuable track time to assess changes to the 2026 regulations introduced for the Sprint weekend.

McLaren arrived with a significant update package on their MCL40, including revisions to brake ducts, bodywork, floor and rear wing, and Norris said the improvements were immediately noticeable: “We came into this weekend having put a lot of hard work into these upgrades, but you can never be certain what to expect until the car is on the track.

“I’m incredibly happy for the whole team because, from the very first lap, it felt like we had taken a step forward. It gave me the confidence I’ve been looking for, allowing me to really push and exploit its potential straight away.”

Norris topped the opening phase of Sprint Qualifying and delivered a 1:27.869 lap on soft tyres in SQ3 to secure pole, with teammate Oscar Piastri third on the grid.

Piastri said the result reflected genuine progress rather than circumstance: “I’m happy with that. The car had good potential, which was really nice to see. We still have things to improve, but the new package is a good step. Congratulations to Lando as well. We didn’t luck into today’s result, the potential is there.”

Ferrari appeared competitive throughout the day, while Mercedes were expected to remain in contention despite not showing their full pace.

“It was incredibly close out there with several teams looking quick, and we know there are still plenty of unknowns, especially when it comes to race pace,” Norris added. “We are still learning how to get the most out of this new package, but we’ve started as well as we could have asked for.”

McLaren technical director Neil Houldey said the early data supported the team’s development direction, with both drivers reporting strong balance across sessions. “The car has been great for both drivers, and the first phase of our development upgrades has shown promising signs.

“To come away with a pole and third on tomorrow’s Sprint grid, given where we were in the first few races, is a strong step forward.,” he Houldey.

The focus now shifts to converting that pace into points across the Sprint and Grand Prix, with teams still assessing how the revised 2026 Formula 1 power unit regulations will impact race performance over longer runs.