\n\tWeather reports had suggested a possible thunderstorm for Sunday\u2019s race \u2014 a big no-no due to a Florida law that requires any sporting event to halt immediately when thunder is heard or there\u2019s a visible lightning strike \u2014 and F1 risked another race cancellation on one of the biggest stages on the circuit. By Saturday evening, the decision was made to move up the next day\u2019s race, which eventually proved to be a smart decision, as Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli claimed the checkered flag on a mostly dry Miami F1 track.<\/p>\n
\n\tThe running of the race was no doubt a welcomed relief for F1 brass, who would have been hesitant to forfeit a third race in a row. But Miami was also an important race for a number of teams, who were debuting their revamped cars \u2014 and in some cases, an entirely new identity \u2014 to the American audiences for the first time this year.<\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAndy Hone<\/p>\n
\n\tOne of those teams was Audi, with the German auto manufacturer making its U.S. Formula 1 debut<\/a> after taking over the Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber from 2026 onwards. Though Sauber Motorsport\u00a0had been part of the Formula 1<\/a> grid for more than 30 years, they had only topped the podium once in more than 500 race starts. With the backing of a new automotive powerhouse \u2014 not to mention Audi Motorsport\u2019s extensive pedigree and success in World Endurance Championship and Le Mans \u2014 the team seems primed to finally break through. And in a season where the playing field has been leveled with revamped cars and a revised power unit, the team believes it has what it takes to move up the ranks.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThis team is much bigger, but the principles are exactly the same,\u201d Audi F1 racing director Allan McNish told journalists in Miami. \u201cWe\u2019ve been in motorsport for years and I think you know the success,\u201d he said, \u201cbut this is another chapter and another challenge. And with that, I would say we haven\u2019t had the experience to be able to know all of the boundaries to push right to the limit. At the same time,\u201d he says, \u201cwith such a change in the regulations, you wouldn\u2019t want to go all out aggressive in day one, because the thing that\u2019s important is how we develop, and how we evolve through the season as a team and as a technical package,\u201d he notes. \u201cBecause we\u2019re on race four, but we\u2019re actually looking at where we need to be to win in 2029 and 2030.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tFor Audi F1 driver Nico Hulkenberg, the team\u2019s progress is inspiring. \u201cYou know, we started from zero a few years ago, so it\u2019s already quite impressive for me to see what they have done, and to see how competitive we are, especially in the races,\u201d he says. \u201cSo I\u2019m very optimistic and hopeful, and of course for me, it\u2019s great to be part of this story and this great German brand.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tJOHN PHILLIPS<\/p>\n \n\tWhile Audi had less than desirable results in Miami \u2014 Gabriel Bortoleto finished 12th while Hulkenberg did not finish \u2014 the team did have a major presence off the track, hosting actors Lupita Nyong\u2019o, Chase Infiniti and Tyriq Withers in its Paddock Club suite, while debuting its premium on-track Turn 1 Club, so-named because it gave guests a front-row vantage point at the track\u2019s first turn. A number of fans were also spotted wearing gear from the team\u2019s new collaboration with Adidas<\/a>, which includes everything from official jerseys and hoodies to caps and tracksuits.<\/p>\n \t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNEW RELEASE\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tAudi Revolut F1 Team Driver Jersey\t\t<\/p>\n \n\tBoth Bortoleto and Hulkenberg also made the rounds with fans and VIP guests throughout the weekend, with the 15-year Formula 1 vet Hulkenberg admitting that the auto sport has taken on a life of its own in recent years. \u201cCompared to the beginning of my career, it\u2019s just a much bigger stage,\u201d he says, \u201c[with] bigger brands involved, more attention and all these things that come with a more successful business and entertainment platform.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tAs for who the German driver has been most starstruck by? Hulkenberg had a chance to meet Brad Pitt while the actor was promoting the F1 movie<\/a> last year, but he says he\u2019d most like to meet a certain chart-topping R&B star: \u201cI\u2019m a big fan of The Weeknd,\u201d Hulkenberg says. \u201cHis music actually plays up and down in my car when we go to and from the track.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHenrik Ringner<\/p>\n \n\tAside from Audi, the 2026 Miami Grand Prix also marked an important event for the Cadillac Formula 1 Team, marking the team\u2019s first home race in its inaugural F1 season. Along with clothing sponsor Tommy Hilfiger, the team brought out stars like actor Michael Rainey Jr., Olympic gold medalist Suni Lee, musician and actor Michael Cimino and KATSEYE star Manon Bannerman, who was making a rare solo appearance since announcing her hiatus <\/a>from the group.<\/p>\n \n\tThe team also unveiled special Tommy\u00a0Hilfiger x Cadillac Formula 1 Team merch, with a limited-edition Miami capsule said to be \u201cinspired by the city\u2019s energy and culture.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLIMITED EDITION\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\tTommy x Cadillac F1 Team Miami Cap\t\t<\/p>\n \n \t$49.50<\/p>\n \t\tBuy Now AT TOMMY HILFIGER\t<\/p>\n \n\tIt was ultimately a tough day at the track for the Cadillac team and their returning drivers unfortunately: Mexican star Sergio Perez who most recently drove for Red Bull, finished in 16th, while Valtteri Bottas, who was last at\u00a0Stake\u00a0F1 Team\u00a0Kick\u00a0Sauber, ended in 18th position.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDom Gibbons \u2013 Formula 1\/Formula 1 via Getty Images<\/p>\n \n\tThe 2026 F1 season has had another first, with a new Red Bull and Ford partnership. Both Red Bull\u2019s and sister team Visa Cash App Racing Bulls\u2019 (VCARB) cars are powered by Ford as part of a long-term strategic partnership with the renowned motor giant. Ford officially kicked off their return to Formula 1 with the season\u2019s first race in Melbourne, and after a surprising start to the season, all eyes were on their comeback after a five-week hiatus on the track. <\/p>\n \n\tRed Bull star Max Verstappen led for part of the race before finishing in fifth. VCARB\u2019s Arvid Lindblad placed 14th, while teammate Liam Lawson and Red Bull\u2019s second driver, Isack Hadjar, both failed to finish. Still, Ford officials say it\u2019s been great to be back on the circuit.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cThe timing was perfect for us to come back in,\u201d shared Will Ford, General Manager of Ford Motors. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to just come back in for the sake of coming in. We need to come back the right way. And most importantly, with the right partner. We have always been monitoring in the last 20 years we weren\u2019t in the sport, and once we got really serious about it, it was very quick,\u201d he explains. \u201cWe got linked with Red Bull, started having these discussions and we just clicked right away. We found ways that we could technically contribute to their power unit business.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cIt\u2019s funny because when I was young, in New Zealand, there was always a rivalry [involving Ford],\u201d adds Lawson. \u201cThere was a championship called \u2018Supercars,\u2019 which basically used to be Ford versus Holden or Ford versus Chevy,\u201d he says. \u201cMy dad was always a Ford guy when I was growing up, so it\u2019s quite cool that we\u2019re now partnering with them.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe new Ford partnership has seemingly inspired Lawson\u2019s choice of off-track vehicle too. \u201cI spend a lot of time in their truck,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s my favorite vehicle to drive everyday.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAlisa Rendor<\/p>\n \n\tThere was one another notable reveal during Miami Grand Prix weekend: VCARB had a new trick up their sleeve when the team debuted a vibrant new livery. The \u201csummer sun yellow\u201d colorway highlights a refreshing look for the hot season and was perfectly apt for the Sunshine State. This comes in tandem with a newly-launched Red Bull Sudachi Lime Flavor, available to buy online now.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<\/p>\n