Max Verstappen says he is in no rush to decide his Formula 1 future as the Red Bull driver evaluates his options ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
The Dutchman recently suggested he could walk away from the sport following a highly frustrating start to the 2026 season.
Sweeping new regulation changes have severely hampered Red Bull’s performance, leaving the reigning constructors’ champions fighting an unfamiliar midfield battle.
However, speaking before the race in Florida, the defending world champion insisted there is no immediate update on his racing plans.
“I still have time and I’m taking my time,” he said.
Engineer departure will not dictate future
Speculation regarding a potential exit intensified following the shock announcement that his long-time race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, will join McLaren by 2028.
Lambiase has guided the 28-year-old through every race since 2016, prompting past claims from the driver that he would quit if they were ever separated.
Despite those previous assertions, the Dutch racer clarified that his colleague’s impending switch has no bearing on his own career trajectory.
“We have a very honest and open relationship, so that was all good,” he explained.
“I wish him all the best and for me there was no hard feelings on that.”
Red Bull search for performance
Red Bull have introduced significant car upgrades for the Miami weekend in a desperate bid to close the gap to their rivals.
The Milton Keynes-based outfit have struggled to adapt to the new 2026 ruleset, falling noticeably behind the leading pack.
“We are a little bit further behind at the moment than what we had last year,” Verstappen conceded.
“I just hope that we can escape a little bit that midfield battle, and we can be actually a bit further up front.”
Formula 1 will resume its 2026 season at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend following an enforced April break, with organisers completing a rapid transformation of the Hard Rock Stadium.
The sport returns to action in Florida after the unexpected cancellation of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix earlier this month.
A 3.36-mile, 19-corner temporary street circuit has been constructed around the permanent home of the NFL’s Miami Dolphins.
Delivering an impossible turnaround
The 265-acre site in Miami Gardens requires the complex installation of approximately 250 temporary structures to meet top-tier motorsport standards.
This massive logistical effort takes place just four weeks after the venue hosted the prestigious Miami Open tennis tournament.
The multi-purpose stadium is also scheduled to host seven matches during this summer’s football World Cup in just seven weeks’ time.
Miami GP president Katharina Nowak acknowledged the heightened external focus on the fifth edition of the race following the sport’s sudden hiatus.
“We definitely don’t change our planning as we started planning back in the summer of 2025 for 2026, so we’re right where we needed to be, but I think the anticipation definitely grows for the race.”
Heightened anticipation for racing return
The event chief noted that the four-week absence of competitive action has generated significant excitement within the wider motorsport industry.
“I’ve gotten a lot of clues or hints from people in the industry that there’s a lot of excitement around Miami, which we, of course, embrace and are excited to hopefully continue to deliver an excellent event.”
The Sunshine State showcase marks the first of three scheduled stops in the United States on the current racing calendar.
Uniquely, the inside of the 65,000-seater stadium is utilised to house the team hospitality units and media facilities directly on the pitch.
Max Verstappen’s decision regarding his Formula 1 future will not be influenced by the upcoming departure of his long-time race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase to McLaren, according to team principal Laurent Mekies.
Lambiase has worked alongside the Dutchman since he joined the Milton Keynes-based outfit in May 2016.
The highly respected engineer is scheduled to leave the reigning constructors’ champions to become McLaren’s chief racing officer by 2028 at the latest.
Mekies firmly dismissed suggestions that losing such a close ally would factor into the three-time world champion’s career plans.
Team dynamics and engine frustrations
The team executive emphasised the driver’s deep understanding of the sport and internal staff structures.
“Obviously, we speak with Max every day. And Max knows motorsport upside down.”
Mekies added that the 26-year-old lives and breathes the team environment and understands the natural turnover of successful personnel.
A more pressing concern for the championship leader has been his dissatisfaction with the behaviour of this year’s newly introduced hybrid power units.
The current regulations mandate a near equal split between internal combustion and electrical power, significantly altering the driving experience.
Miami Grand Prix rule adjustments
Minor regulatory changes have been introduced for this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix to address some immediate driver concerns.
These tweaks aim to allow flatter-out driving during qualifying sessions and reduce dangerous closing speeds between harvesting and deploying cars.
While acknowledging these changes will not alter the overall pecking order, Mekies welcomed the move as a positive step forward.
“Nobody pretends it’s going to fix everything, but it’s a good step, and we will certainly support more steps in the future so that the drivers can be flat-out out there.”
Push for long-term hardware changes
Looking further ahead, there is growing consensus among team bosses that more fundamental engineering adjustments are required.
Mekies expressed agreement with McLaren team principal Andrea Stella regarding the necessity of long-term hardware changes to the power units.
Stella has advocated for adjusting the power ratio to place less compromise on chassis design and overall drivability.
“There should be a consideration for some hardware changes, more for the longer term.”
High-level discussions are reportedly already under way among motorsport executives to address this fundamental issue.
The primary proposal under consideration would increase the internal combustion engine’s fuel-flow rate, shifting the power delivery ratio closer to 60:40 for next season.
Lewis Hamilton is well positioned to secure race victories for Ferrari as Formula 1 returns to action with the Miami Grand Prix following a five-week break.
The seven-time world champion currently sits fourth in the drivers’ standings after claiming his first podium for the Scuderia at the Chinese Grand Prix.
Mercedes have dominated the opening exchanges of the 2026 campaign, with Kimi Antonelli and George Russell winning all three races so far.
Ferrari target Mercedes gap
Former driver and commentator Martin Brundle believes the impending race in Florida will act as a relaunch for the chasing pack.
Teams have spent the enforced April break developing major upgrades for their radically altered 2026 machines.
The Italian marque are expected to deliver a significant performance step in the United States to challenge the early championship pacesetters.
Hamilton trails his team-mate Charles Leclerc by just eight points, with the pair already engaging in fierce on-track battles during the Asian leg of the calendar.
Hamilton relishing rule changes
The British driver struggled at the recent Japanese Grand Prix but appears visibly reinvigorated following his winter departure from Mercedes.
“Lewis clearly enjoys these cars much more.”
Brundle noted that the previous ground-effect era vehicles did not suit the driving style of the 103-time race winner.
“Just his mood and just the way he’s going about it, he just seems a lot happier because Ferrari is more competitive.”
Sprint format returns in Miami
To mount a serious title challenge, the former McLaren star must first establish supremacy over Leclerc within his own garage.
Both Ferrari drivers are seeking their first race wins since the 2024 season.
“If there’s a sniff of a victory, I think Lewis is still very much capable of taking that.”
The upcoming weekend features the second sprint event of the year, offering crucial additional championship points.
McLaren have claimed victory at the venue in the past two seasons, adding another variable to the competitive order.
The 2026 Formula 1 season resumes at the Miami Grand Prix this weekend following a five-week hiatus, with rival teams bringing major upgrades in a bid to catch runaway leaders Mercedes.
The sport returns to the track at the Miami International Autodrome for the first time since the Japanese Grand Prix on 29 March.
Scheduled races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled on safety grounds due to conflict in the Middle East, creating an unexpected gap in the calendar.
Teams have utilised this enforced factory time to develop significant car upgrades, leading to suggestions that the competitive pecking order could dramatically shift.
‘A new championship begins’
The Silver Arrows have dominated the new 2026 regulations so far, winning all three opening races and the single Sprint event.
Kimi Antonelli currently leads the drivers’ standings following his impressive victory at Suzuka.
Ferrari have emerged as the closest challengers and hope their latest developments will bridge the performance gap in Florida.
Frederic Vasseur believes the extended break has allowed teams to heavily optimise their machinery.
“Everyone will bring new upgrades to Miami,” Vasseur said.
The Scuderia team principal expects the grid to look vastly different as engineers unlock more performance.
“They’ll have time to work on the software, which is why I said a new championship will start.”
Mercedes anticipate fresh challenge
Despite their flawless start to the campaign, the German marque is acutely aware of the threat posed by the rest of the pack.
Toto Wolff echoed his Ferrari counterpart’s sentiments regarding the potential for an immediate shake-up.
“Miami is going to be for me also a restart,” Wolff admitted.
The Mercedes motorsport boss acknowledged that competitors are rapidly learning how to extract the maximum from the complex new technical regulations.
“How are the upgrades going to work that people are bringing? How have we optimised all the other systems?”
The Austrian executive concluded that the renewed development war will make for a thrilling weekend on track.
“It’s going to be exciting.”
Carson Hocevar claimed the first victory of his NASCAR Cup Series career by overtaking Chris Buescher with a dramatic last-lap pass at Talladega Superspeedway on Sunday.
The 23-year-old utilised a well-timed drafting push from Alex Bowman to edge past Buescher’s Ford by a mere 0.114 seconds at the finish line.
It marks a milestone achievement in the Michigan native’s 91st start in stock car racing’s premier division.
He becomes the second first-time winner of the current season, joining Ty Gibbs who triumphed at Bristol Motor Speedway two weeks prior.
Massive pile-up halts aggressive racing
While the closing stages provided spectacular competition, the 2.66-mile oval once again delivered its trademark multi-car chaos.
A massive 26-car wreck was triggered on lap 115 when Bubba Wallace lost control of his Toyota after receiving a bump from Ross Chastain.
The devastating incident eliminated several high-profile contenders, including Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Larson.
Wallace, who was making his milestone 300th Cup start, ultimately finished outside the top 30 for the third time in five races.
“It’s a bummer, but we’ve got to figure out how to be pushed better, so I take responsibility on that,” said Wallace.
Strategy shifts and safety concerns
NASCAR officials had instituted a mammoth 98-lap first stage in an attempt to combat the extreme fuel conservation strategies often deployed at superspeedways.
This structural change forced drivers to run cautiously below their maximum speeds for an 85-minute opening segment to ensure optimum mileage.
However, when the field finally opened the throttle for the second stage, the destructive pile-up erupted just 10 laps later.
“What do you want? Save fuel or crash? Pick one. That’s what it feels like right now,” stated an aggrieved Logano following his elimination.
“The cars are unstable, and once everyone starts pushing and racing aggressive, it’s going to happen.”
Behind the headline-grabbing finish, Bowman secured an impressive third place.
The result marked Bowman’s best finish since missing four races earlier this year with vertigo.
Chase Elliott and Zane Smith completed the top five on an unpredictable and bruising afternoon in Alabama.
Elsewhere on the grid, current points leader Tyler Reddick announced a multi-year contract extension with 23XI Racing prior to the event.
Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso has revealed he wants to extend his Formula 1 career beyond the 2026 season, stating at the Monaco historic grand prix that he is not yet ready to retire.
The 44-year-old is out of contract at the end of the current campaign but explicitly stated that he hopes 2026 will not be his final year on the grid.
Previously, the Spaniard suggested he would evaluate his future as the year progressed and anticipated treating 2026 as his definitive farewell tour.
However, speaking to the event’s official television channel, the veteran driver emphasised his enduring passion for elite motorsport.
I love what I do, I love racing. I did my first race when I was three years old, and I am 44, so 41 years of my life I have been behind a steering wheel. The moment I have to stop racing, it will be a very hard decision and difficult to accept. Fernando Alonso
The former Ferrari and Renault star added that he still feels highly competitive, motivated, and genuinely happy whenever he takes to the track.
Aston Martin struggles hinder farewell plans
The veteran’s optimistic outlook comes despite a highly challenging start to the year for his current team.
Aston Martin entered the campaign with massive expectations following their transition to a works engine partnership with Japanese manufacturer Honda.
Optimism was further fuelled by the high-profile acquisition of legendary car designer Adrian Newey, who joined the Silverstone-based outfit in March of the previous year.
Instead, the team has suffered a dismal opening phase, battling severe performance deficits and crippling reliability issues.
Chassis and engine woes plague new partnership
Initial public scrutiny fell heavily on Honda after severe engine vibrations caused mechanical failures and extreme physical discomfort for both drivers.
However, subsequent analysis across the first three races revealed that over half of the team’s overall performance deficit actually originates from the chassis.
Newey clarified that his delayed arrival and significant wind tunnel complications heavily disrupted the design process, leaving the team four months behind rival constructors in crucial research and development.
Despite the substantial setback, the esteemed engineer remains confident that Aston Martin can successfully bridge the chassis performance gap as the season progresses.
Honda granted developmental lifeline
Meanwhile, the broader Formula 1 paddock widely acknowledges that Honda currently possesses the weakest power unit among all engine manufacturers.
As a result, the Japanese marque is expected to receive permission for extra development and upgrade opportunities to address their severe operational deficiencies.
This regulatory mechanism is built into the new 2026 power-unit guidelines, specifically designed to offer trailing manufacturers a realistic chance to close the competitive gap.
With Aston Martin possessing limited options to secure a top-tier replacement driver, an eventual upturn in form could easily convince the legendary Spanish driver to orchestrate a final swansong in 2027.
Alex Marquez claimed a comfortable victory at the Spanish Grand Prix on Sunday to halt overall leader Marco Bezzecchi’s five-race winning streak in MotoGP.
The Ducati-Gresini rider triumphed from fifth on the starting grid, crossing the line 1.903 seconds ahead of his Aprilia rival.
It marks a triumphant return to the top step of the podium for the recently turned 30-year-old, who secured his maiden premier class victory at this exact Jerez circuit last year.
Marc Marquez crashes out after sprint success
Sunday’s grand prix provided a stark contrast to Saturday’s chaotic, rain-lashed sprint event.
Reigning champion Marc Marquez had clinched victory in those treacherous wet conditions following some quick thinking to change bikes.
Despite starting from pole position in the main race, the older Marquez brother could not replicate his sprint success.
Alex closed the gap rapidly at the start of the second lap, executing a clinical move up the inside at turn six to snatch the lead.
Disaster struck for Marc just five turns later as he lost the front end of his Ducati and crashed out of contention.
Bezzecchi extends championship advantage
With clear track ahead, the younger Marquez brother proved untouchable for the chasing pack.
Fabio di Giannantonio delivered a strong performance to complete the podium places, while Jorge Martin crossed the line in fourth.
The result finally breaks a formidable run of form from the current championship leader.
The Italian had dominated the premier class by winning the final two rounds of last season and the opening three races of the current campaign.
Despite missing out on the victory, the second-place finish allows him to stretch his overall standings advantage to 11 points over Martin.
Di Giannantonio climbs to third in the title race, leaving the reigning champion languishing 44 points adrift in fifth.
A turning point for the Gresini rider
This crucial win propels the victorious Spaniard up to seventh in the overall classification.
His previous best result this season had been a modest sixth-place finish.
“We struggled a lot at the beginning of the year,” the race winner said.
“Today, it was clear – go from the first lap, pushing, trying to take the lead.”
“From that moment, I knew that the rhythm was really good until the end.”