F1 returns: 5 exciting storylines for Miami GP

Formula 1 is officially back.

For the first time in over a month, it's race week in F1. The Miami Grand Prix is ahead, and there are more than a few storylines to catch up on, including a set of changes to the new rules.

New rule changes should improve the cars

We're most excited to see if the new tweaks improve the on-track action. The biggest changes are a reduction in maximum recharge from 8MJ to 7MJ, plus boosting the maximum superclip power to 350KW. In simple terms, this should bring back more flat-out qualifying, as drivers will spend less time superclipping (charging the battery while on full throttle). The harvesting limit has also been decreased.

The big question about the sporting aspect of these regulations is: Are these changes enough? The answer probably depends on your expectations. If you want the F1 of old to return, you'll end up disappointed. That just isn't possible midseason; teams don't have enough time or resources in the budget cap era to redesign their engines or fuel tank size. Remember, these tweaks weren't made to eliminate the issues, but rather to alleviate them.

F1 is banking on fans not noticing the drawbacks of these changes - namely, slightly slower lap times. But decision-makers hope that fans recognize a big difference from the haunting sights that dominated the first three grands prix, such as drivers losing 50 kilometers per hour on the straights at times while superclipping.

Other adjustments targeted safety issues, decreasing the power from Boost Mode and reducing MGU-K deployment in areas other than the key acceleration zones. That change was enacted to avoid incidents like Oliver Bearman's crash in Suzuka, which was caused by a massive speed differential between him and Franco Colapinto, the next car ahead.

Miami presents a huge opportunity for F1 to take a small step in the right direction. If the sport can improve the viewing experience of qualifying while maintaining Sunday's entertainment, all the criticism of the new cars will slowly start to fade.

Who can stop Kimi Antonelli's momentum?

If you need a reminder of where F1 left off, a 19-year-old is currently leading the drivers' championship. Kimi Antonelli has made the most of his Mercedes machinery, starting the season with three straight podiums and winning the last two races. The teenager's ascension has been a great feel-good story, but another win in Miami would really legitimize Antonelli's title challenge.

That is, unless someone can stop him.

If anyone can derail Antonelli's momentum, his teammate, George Russell, is the most likely candidate. Russell seemed to be destined for a dominant season after beginning with a win in Australia and a sprint victory in China. He's had a tough go since, but let's not discount that Russell was in contention to win in Suzuka before his chances were undone by a safety car. Wild cards such as Ferrari and McLaren could spoil Antonelli's run as well, but odds are, it's up to Russell.

Russell will have his work cut out for him, though. Not only is Antonelli driving in the best form of his career, but Miami has been a track that seems to suit him well. In last year's event, the Italian qualified on pole for the sprint race and then qualified third for the main race, again ahead of Russell.

McLaren could have another magical Miami moment

"There was always the idea to deliver a completely new car, especially from an aerodynamic upgrades point of view, for the North American races," McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said recently.

Forgive me if you've heard this one before, but McLaren plans to unveil a revamped version of its car in Miami. McLaren also brought a major upgrade package to the track in 2024.

That package resulted in Lando Norris winning the Miami Grand Prix and served as the launch point for the team's back-to-back constructors' championships.

In addition to Norris' first win at the circuit in 2024, the papaya team swept the weekend last year, with the British driver claiming the sprint and Oscar Piastri winning the main race.

McLaren continued to improve its form in Suzuka. Could Miami once again be the turning point for another McLaren title charge?

Other teams bringing upgrades

The grind never stops behind the scenes in F1, and with the extra time between races, other teams will also arrive in the United States with numerous upgrades to their cars.

The biggest spotlight will be on the Macarena: not the dance, but the rotating rear wing that Ferrari debuted earlier this year. Reports from Italian media suggest that a new Macarena wing is among the Scuderia's various upgrades slated for Miami.

But apparently Ferrari isn't the only one experimenting with wing design.

Red Bull appears to have tested its own Macarena wing during a recent filming day run in Silverstone. Whether that change makes it to Miami is unclear, but the Milton Keynes squad is rumored to be implementing upgrades for the next race.

There will almost surely be upgraded cars across the grid this weekend. It'll be interesting to see if McLaren, Ferrari, or Red Bull can bridge the gap that Mercedes has built. Any potential changes in the pecking order will become evident in Miami.

Cadillac's homecoming

Welcome home, Cadillac.

The Miami Grand Prix will be the first race on U.S. soil for Cadillac. The American team has experienced an uneventful three-race introduction to F1, which isn't a bad thing. The team's cars have been backmarkers so far, but thanks to the Aston Martin debacle, Cadillac hasn't appeared to be out of its depth. That should be celebrated as a huge win in itself, considering how much initial opposition there was within the sport to an 11th team joining the grid.

Any measurable progress in Miami will be worth applauding. It's also worth watching the status of American pilot and Cadillac test driver Colton Herta. The F2 driver, who has nine IndyCar wins, will race in Miami. This year marks the first time that F2 is coming to the circuit, putting Herta on an equal playing field as his rivals in the junior series.

There should be no shortage of festivities this weekend involving the American team and its drivers.

Drivers' standings

Constructors' standings

Daniel Valente is theScore's lead Formula 1 writer. Daniel has covered the sport for multiple years, conducting analysis and interviewing key figures inside the paddock. His expertise is breaking down data and discovering unique stats. Follow Daniel on X at @F1GuyDan.