Leclerc tops Miami FP1 as Mercedes reports power-unit issue

Charles Leclerc set the pace in Friday's first and only Miami Grand Prix practice session, while Mercedes was reported to have suffered a power-unit issue.

Multiple reports from the session said Leclerc topped FP1 in Miami, with Mercedes dealing with an engine-related problem that affected at least one car. The issue was described as a power-unit or motor problem in live coverage.

The session was part of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix Sprint weekend and was extended to 90 minutes under the weekend format confirmed by Formula 1. F1 also introduced regulation refinements for the Miami race weekend after earlier concerns around power deployment and race starts.

For Mercedes, the practice setback is an early-weekend reliability note rather than a race result, but it could matter if the team needs extra checks before Sprint Qualifying. For Leclerc and Ferrari, the headline from the opening session is straightforward: the car was quickest when it counted in first practice.

The rest of the Miami weekend still includes Sprint Qualifying and the race, so the order may change quickly once teams move into qualifying trim.