Lando Norris (defending F1 champion) took pole position at the 2026 Miami GP Sprint, showcasing McLaren's impressive turnaround after a rocky start to the season. The Woking-based team implemented a total of seven upgrades, including new sidepods and a rear wing, which significantly boosted their performance. Norris finished ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Oscar Piastri, while George Russell of Mercedes struggled to secure a P6 finish, raising eyebrows among fans. The unexpected performance shift left many questioning the state of Mercedes, who had previously dominated the season's early races. Norris praised McLaren's upgrades, stating, “A perfect result for us... It’s nice to feel some grip again.” Meanwhile, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc also introduced upgrades but could not keep pace with Norris in the final qualifying session.