The first stars-and-stripes race of the season will take place next weekend in Miami. Formula 1 has observed a lengthy break following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix and resumes its championship campaign on a street circuit in Florida. The Miami Grand Prix is held on a track built specifically for the event around the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. The layout, which runs through sections of public roads and the stadium’s parking areas, measures 5.412 kilometres and is raced over 57 laps.

To tackle the 19 corners and three long straights of the Miami International Autodrome, as it was named for its inaugural race in 2022, teams will have access to the three softest compounds in the Pirelli range: C3, C4 and C5. The asphalt, resurfaced in 2023, has a low level of roughness and gains grip over the course of the weekend as the track evolves.

One interesting characteristic that emerged last year was how quickly the circuit dried. This was clearly demonstrated during the Sprint, the short race that will also feature this season, when drivers switched from intermediate tyres to slicks during the 19 laps, despite the heavy rain that had fallen before the lights went out. Variable weather conditions could once again spring surprises over the course of the weekend.

There should be fewer uncertainties when it comes to race strategy. Tyre degradation in Miami has always been limited, thanks to the characteristics of the circuit, allowing drivers to extend their stints and make just a single pit stop during the race. Another factor to consider on Sunday is the possibility of neutralisations, which are common on any street circuit, where precision is crucial to avoid contact with the barriers.

IN 2025
Last year’s Grand Prix, won by Oscar Piastri, was very straightforward from a strategic point of view. At the start, drivers split between those who opted for the Mediums and those who chose the Hards, keeping their options open in case of a neutralisation or a sudden change in weather conditions. The pit stop window was essentially around mid-distance, with fairly long stints encouraged by the very low degradation of all the selected compounds.

STATISTICS
Of the four editions held so far on the circuit around the Dolphins’ stadium, half have been won by Max Verstappen. The two McLaren drivers have instead shared the victories in the last two seasons. After Lando Norris claimed his first Formula 1 win in 2024, it was his team-mate who took the chequered flag in 2025. However, neither of the Papaya drivers has ever secured pole position at this event: Verstappen has two poles to his name, while the others were taken by Charles Leclerc and Sergio Perez.

SUPPORT RACES
The Miami weekend will be entirely under the Pirelli banner. All the support categories at the Formula 1 event are series supplied with tyres by the Italian company. The second round of Formula 2 has been relocated to Florida following the cancellation of the two previous races originally scheduled. Adding further depth to the weekend will be the McLaren Trophy North America, featuring the Artura Trophy Evo, and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America. The latter series, which fields the new Porsche 911 Cup, has been supplied by the long P brand since this year, with Pirelli providing, as it does for the other GT championships, the P Zero DHG introduced last season.