F1 returns to action this weekend in Miami for the fourth round of the 2026 season after a frustrating break due to safety concerns in the Middle East. We preview the weekend at the Miami International Autodrome and suggest a couple of bets.
The cancellation of two rounds since Kimi Antonelli’s dominant victory at Suzuka in late March has left the paddock idle for over a month, and teams will be desperate to get back on track. Mercedes have been the class of the field so far, winning two of the first three races, but the extended break has given their rivals valuable development time.
DRIVERS CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship with 72 points after three rounds, having overtaken teammate George Russell with his victory in Japan. Russell is second on 63 points after a disappointing fourth place at Suzuka, where he was unable to match his teammate’s pace. Charles Leclerc is third on 49 points and Lewis Hamilton fourth on 41, with the Ferrari pair proving the most consistent challengers to Mercedes. Lando Norris sits fifth on 25 and Oscar Piastri sixth on 21 after his strong second place in Japan, with the McLaren pair looking to close the gap. Oliver Bearman has been a revelation in the Haas and sits seventh on 17 points, while Pierre Gasly rounds out the top eight on 15 for Alpine.
Russell is the marginal favourite at 2.00 for the title, with Antonelli close behind at 2.10. Leclerc is 13.00, while Piastri (21.00), Norris (26.00), Hamilton (26.00) and Verstappen (67.00) are all available at longer odds.
Click here for betting on Drivers Championship winner
CONSTRUCTORS CHAMPIONSHIP UPDATE
Mercedes continue to dominate the Constructors’ Championship with a commanding 135 points, almost as many as Ferrari (90) and McLaren (46) combined. The Silver Arrows have scored in every race with both cars and look a cut above the rest. Haas are a surprise fourth on 18 points thanks largely to Bearman’s early-season heroics, just ahead of Alpine and Red Bull Racing on 16 apiece. Racing Bulls sit seventh on 14, while Audi bring up the rear on just 2 points. Red Bull’s struggles with the new regulations remain one of the defining stories of the season so far.
Mercedes are heavy favourites at 1.16 for the Constructors’ title. Ferrari are 7.00, McLaren 9.00, and Red Bull Racing 51.00 and it is probably a matter of time before bookmakers start pricing a market “without Mercedes”.
MIAMI GRAND PRIX 2025
Last year’s Miami Grand Prix produced a McLaren one-two under the previous regulations, with Oscar Piastri leading home teammate Lando Norris by 4.6 seconds in a commanding display. George Russell was third for Mercedes, over 37 seconds adrift of the winner, Max Verstappen fourth for Red Bull, Alexander Albon a superb fifth for Williams, and Kimi Antonelli sixth. McLaren’s dominance in Miami last year was a key moment in their 2025 campaign.
Circuit
The Miami International Autodrome is a 5.41-kilometre purpose-built circuit around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. It features 19 turns, three DRS zones, and a mix of high-speed straights and tight corners. Elevation changes between turns 13 and 16 add a technical challenge, and the track has produced exciting racing since it joined the calendar in 2022.
BETTING – Click here to bet
George Russell (Mercedes) 2.40
Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 2.50
Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 9.00
Lando Norris (McLaren) 13.00
Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 15.00
Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 15.00
Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing) 34.00
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Betting and Verdict:
Oscar Piastri won this very race last year and backed that up with a superb second-place finish in Japan, crossing the line just 13 seconds behind Antonelli. McLaren have been steadily closing the gap to Mercedes and Ferrari and sit third in the constructors’ standings on 46 points. The Australian clearly has an affinity with this circuit and at 1.90 for a Top 3 finish, he represents solid value. With both Mercedes and Ferrari drivers likely to be fighting each other for positions, a podium for Piastri looks very achievable.
Suggested Bet: Oscar Piastri Top 3 at 1.90.
Max Verstappen has endured a torrid start to the 2026 season, with Red Bull struggling badly to adapt to the new regulations and sitting sixth in the constructors standings on just 16 points. But the three-time world champion finished fourth at Miami last year and remains one of the most talented drivers on the grid. Red Bull have had over a month to develop their car during the enforced break, and if any team knows how to use downtime productively, it is them. Verstappen’s class tends to shine through on technical circuits like this one. At 2.20 for a Top 6 finish, the odds look generous for a driver of his calibre.
Suggested Bet: Max Verstappen Top 6 at 2.20.
Click here for all Miami Grand Prix Betting Markets
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
