Miami never does things by halves, and the 2026 race weekend was no exception. The energy off track matched the action on it across a weekend that delivered everything you’d expect from one of the most vibrant stops on the calendar.<\/p>\n
There was plenty of on-track drama for the fourth round of the season in Miami, with World Champion Lando Norris<\/a> back to winning ways in the Sprint, an epic record-breaking drive from Kimi Antonelli<\/a> to extend his lead at the top of the standings after securing his third pole-to-win in a row, and plenty of shocks and last lap chaos. But those weren\u2019t the only stories from the Grand Prix weekend \u2013 so here are some off-track moments you should know about…<\/p>\n Messi magic in Miami<\/p>\n Lionel Messi was undoubtedly among the most high-profile guests of the weekend, spending time around the Mercedes<\/a> garage where his kids collected photos and autographs from Antonelli and George Russell<\/a>.<\/p>\n But who do you think was more starstruck \u2013 Messi’s children meeting the Mercedes duo, or Antonelli and Russell coming face to face with the greatest footballer of all time?<\/p>\n Messi also found time to meet fellow Argentinian Franco Colapinto<\/a> ahead of Sunday’s race \u2013 and for the Alpine<\/a> man, it might not have even been the highlight of a brilliant week.<\/p>\n Just days after his stunning show run through the streets of Buenos Aires<\/a>, Colapinto delivered some epic qualifying results and drove to his best-ever Grand Prix finish with seventh place. Not many people can say they\u2019ve had a better week, right?<\/p>\n The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner even stuck around to congratulate Antonelli and Colapinto on their fantastic achievements, capping off a perfect weekend for the pair! Safe to say they won\u2019t be forgetting this day for a long time…<\/p>\n Home race celebrations<\/p>\n For any team, there are few feelings better than a home race \u2013 and for American teams Cadillac<\/a> and Haas<\/a>, Miami is the first of three this season, with Austin and Las Vegas still to come.<\/p>\n For Cadillac, this was an extra special weekend as it is their first-ever home race weekend and they celebrated in style! In addition to a US-themed livery and Miami-themed driver helmets, the team enjoyed plenty of activations over the duration of the weekend.<\/p>\n They also had an electric fan HQ nearby that kept their supporters entertained throughout the whole weekend, with driver appearances, car displays, simulators, cocktails, and even visits from ambassador Terry Crews. The celebrations peaked on Saturday night, when Sergio Perez<\/a> took to the stage to greet fans alongside a performance from rapper Fat Joe.<\/p>\n Haas started their home race celebrations early, as they headed to Wall Street in New York for a team event and even got to ring the stock exchange bell! Ticking off a bucket list experience isn\u2019t a bad way to kick off a home race week.<\/p>\n Sunshine State show run<\/p>\n McLaren<\/a> went big in Miami with the ambitious fan experience McLaren Racing Live \u2013 a five-day event in Regatta Harbour featuring activations, displays and even an appearance from the 2025 Constructors\u2019 Trophy.<\/p>\n However, Thursday\u2019s events were certainly a highlight, as Norris, Oscar Piastri<\/a>, Emmerson Fittipaldi<\/a>, Mika Hakkinen<\/a>, and Bruno Senna took some of the teams\u2019 most recognisable cars for a spin around the 305 \u2013 some line-up of stars!<\/p>\n Piastri enjoyed some time in Lewis Hamilton<\/a>\u2019s Championship winning car form 2008, Bruno Senna drove his uncle Ayrton\u2019s MP4\/6, while Fittipaldi and Hakkinen were reunited with their championship-winning cars from 1974 and 1999 respectively.<\/p>\n Super Williams<\/p>\n Williams<\/a> made a landmark announcement ahead of the Miami weekend when they revealed a first-of-its-kind partnership with Marvel. Carlos Sainz<\/a>, Alex Albon<\/a> and team boss James Vowles will star in an original comic alongside Marvel heroes, taking on supervillain Doctor Doom as he threatens to bring down the racing calendar \u2013 yikes!<\/p>\n Albon wasted no time putting his newfound superpowers to the test when he headed to the Miami Marlins stadium to try his hand at batting… with mixed results.<\/p>\n He did redeem himself in one department though, picking up a Miami Marlins jersey as a gift for Sainz. And the team mate of the season award goes to…<\/p>\n Hovercrafting Hadjar<\/p>\n The Everglades are a bucket list destination for anyone in Florida, so it was no surprise that at least one driver made the most of their Sunshine State stay. This time, it was Isack Hadjar<\/a> enjoying the unique landscape, as he took a tour of the wetlands on a hovercraft \u2013 and even had a go driving the vehicle himself! The Frenchman was a natural, managing to avoid the alligators while reaching some impressive speeds.<\/p>\n PGA x F1<\/p>\n The love affair between F1 and golf strengthened further this weekend \u2013 drivers were flocking to nearby golf courses ahead of race weekend. We had two iconic pairings at the Cadillac Championship Pro-am in Miami, with Sainz partnering Norwegian star Viktor Hovland, while Perez had the pleasure of playing with world number one Scottie Scheffler.<\/p>\n We are sure the duos shared some driving tips with each other!<\/p>\n Meanwhile, Charles Leclerc<\/a> and Rickie Fowler made for an unlikely but popular pairing at a sponsor event during the week. However, Leclerc was only too quick to make clear on his socials that it wasn’t much of a contest…<\/p>\n With his shoes, shirt, and clubs personalised with pictures of his dog Leo though, he was always going to be the winner in our eyes!<\/p>\n F1 also produced some big news by crossing over into the golfing world this weekend, as two-time major winner Justin Rose helped launch the brand-new McLaren Golf clubs on 29 April. Rose, who worked with the team closely to guide the engineering process of the clubs, joins Michelle Wie West and Ian Poulter as part of Team McLaren.<\/p>\n The Alpine duo also tried their hand at the longest drive challenge at a sponsor event alongside pro golfer Luke Clanton \u2013 Pierre Gasly<\/a> managing an impressive 278 yards, and Colapinto managing, let’s say… considerably less.<\/p>\n It’s the taking part that counts though, right Franco?<\/p>\n Paddock playing ball<\/p>\n F1 shares its Miami home with the Miami Dolphins, and the two worlds collided in style this weekend as the team made their way into the paddock (which also happens to be their playing field) to greet the drivers as they arrived for the weekend.<\/p>\n Some of the grid seemed to use the opportunity as an unofficial trial to join the team, which seemed altogether unsuccessful. What appeared more successful was the impression Antonelli left on the Dolphin players, so much so that they adopted him on the spot, hoisting him into the air.<\/p>\n Meanwhile, footballers of a different kind were doing the rounds. Inter Miami players stopped by for a kickabout with the Audi<\/a> drivers. It turns out Nico Hulkenberg<\/a> and Gabriel Bortoleto<\/a> were more than capable of holding their own \u2013 which begs the question: with the FIFA World Cup coming later this year, could a Brazil vs Germany driver match-up be on the cards?<\/p>\n Leclerc also got some time with Luis Suarez ahead of the team\u2019s Sunday match \u2013 but it goes without saying that the Monegasque wasn\u2019t available for a call up, he was busy!<\/p>\n Miami awash with star power<\/p>\n It wasn’t just the rain that hit Miami this weekend \u2013 the celebrity arrivals came thick and fast too, and the drivers weren’t shy about having their fanboy moments!<\/p>\n Actor Patrick Dempsey, who is also an accomplished racing driver, was very much in his element this weekend, chatting with Yuki Tsunoda and Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies before picking up tips from Max Verstappen<\/a> in the garage. A reserve driver call-up surely can’t be far away at this point…<\/p>\n Red Bull enjoyed the company of plenty of stars over the weekend – Presenter and comedian Jimmy Fallon brought the laughs to the garage, while DJ Khaled drifted between Red Bull and Racing Bulls, after helping the latter to reveal their special livery.<\/p>\n Talking of star power, astronaut Reid Wiseman \u2013 not long back from the Artemis II mission \u2013 presented Norris with his Sprint victory trophy, while Colin Farrell had the honour of handing Antonelli his pole position award before taking a hot lap in a Ferrari 430, and it\u2019s safe to say he loved every second of his weekend!<\/p>\n Also in attendance were some familiar famous faces, with Lupita Nyong’o, Emma Roberts, Jamie Foxx, Tyriq Withers, Shaboozey, and Peggy Gou all among those who are starting to become the F1 paddock faithfuls.<\/p>\n There was also some sporting royalty seen floating around the paddock. 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams stopped by the Ferrari<\/a> garage to support her close friend Hamilton, whilst 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal joined compatriots Sainz and Fernando Alonso<\/a> \u2013 along with Masters champion Jon Rahm. Nadal later enjoyed the ultimate VIP honour of waving the chequered flag at the end of the Grand Prix, and he certainly had the arm strength required.<\/p>\n It was also Olympic Champions galore at the Miami International Autodrome, with the likes of swimmer Leon Marchand, skier Michaela Shiffrin, and track stars Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone and Noah Lyles relishing their time in and around the grid.<\/p>\n Return of Grid Gigs<\/p>\n After a popular debut last season, Grid Gigs made its 2026 return in Miami \u2013 and it got off to a strong start. Multi-Latin GRAMMY-nominated, US Platinum-selling artist Manuel Turizo took to the stage ahead of lights out on Sunday, treating the crowd to recent hits Apambichao and Te Hacen Falta Dos alongside fan favourite La Bachata, which set the mood rather nicely for what was to come on track soon after!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Miami never does things by halves, and the 2026 race weekend was no exception. 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