Mercedes Holds 45‑Point Lead as F1 Returns to Miami After War‑Induced Cancellations

TL;DR: Mercedes sits 45 points ahead in the F1 constructors' standings as the series returns to Miami on May 3, following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.

Context The Iran War forced the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races, leaving the championship without a contest for more than a month. The last event, the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29, saw Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli claim his second straight win.

Key Facts - Mercedes leads the constructors' championship by 45 points, having amassed 135 points from three victories and two podiums. Ferrari trails with 90 points, while McLaren holds 46. - The Miami Grand Prix will take place on Sunday, May 3, at 4 p.m. ET on the Miami International Autodrome, a circuit built around Hard Rock Stadium. Apple TV will broadcast the race worldwide. - Mercedes drivers Kimi Antonelli and George Russell have each secured a win this season; Russell also finished second in China and first in Australia. - The season schedule resumes after the two canceled events, with the next races slated for Canada on May 24 and Monaco on June 7.

What It Means Mercedes’ 45‑point cushion gives the team a comfortable buffer before the next race weekend, but the extended break could disrupt momentum. Ferrari, 45 points behind, must close the gap quickly to stay in contention, while McLaren remains a distant third. The Miami venue offers a fresh data set for teams that missed the Middle‑East tests, potentially reshuffling performance trends.

The Miami Grand Prix will be the first test of how teams adapt after a month‑long hiatus. Watch for qualifying pace shifts, especially from Ferrari and McLaren, as they seek to narrow Mercedes’ lead.

*What to watch next:* qualifying results at Miami and any strategic adjustments Mercedes makes to preserve its lead.