The Miami Grand Prix's extended practice session gave Formula 1 teams a rare chance to dive deep into long-run data—and the results are painting an exciting picture for the weekend ahead.

With practice bumped to 90 minutes as part of a trial for the 2026 regulations, drivers finally had time to load up on fuel and push through sustained stints. That means we're getting a much clearer look at the true race pace, not just flashy one-lap heroics.

And the big takeaway? Mercedes is still the team to beat. Championship leader Kimi Antonelli edged out teammate George Russell by just 0.03 seconds per lap on heavy fuel—a razor-thin margin that shows the Silver Arrows are firing on all cylinders. Their long-run consistency is setting the benchmark for the rest of the grid.

But the chasing pack is closing in. Charles Leclerc put Ferrari just 0.33 seconds per lap behind Mercedes, a significant improvement from the 0.53-second gap they averaged over the first three races. That's nearly two-tenths of a second gained—a huge leap in Formula 1 terms. Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc's teammate, sits fourth, 0.6 seconds off the pace.

Digging into the sector times, Ferrari's strengths are clear: they dominate in the corners, especially through Miami's fast first sector and the tight, twisty second sector. But they're still losing time on the straights in the final sector, which is keeping them from fully challenging Mercedes.

McLaren is shaping up as the third force in Miami, though their race pace (0.87 seconds behind Mercedes) doesn't quite match their strong single-lap performance. Their cornering profile is similar to Ferrari's, suggesting they could be a threat if they find a bit more straight-line speed.

With the sprint race and Sunday's main event ahead, the pecking order is tightening. Mercedes still leads, but Ferrari and McLaren are proving they're ready to fight. For fans and teams alike, this weekend is shaping up to be a thriller.