Formula 1 Heads to Miami for Sixth Round of 2025 Season, Celebrates Ferrari–HP Anniversary with Special Livery
Formula 1 returns to American soil for the first time in 2025 with the highly anticipated Miami Grand Prix, marking the sixth round of this year’s world championship calendar. Set against the vibrant backdrop of South Florida, the race weekend will unfold at the Miami International Autodrome—an exciting and technically challenging circuit constructed around the iconic Hard Rock Stadium.
This event marks the first of three visits to the United States this season, underscoring the sport’s growing popularity across the country. The Miami race also carries additional weight this year as it plays host to the second Sprint format weekend of the 2025 campaign, intensifying the challenge for teams and drivers with a condensed schedule and more competitive sessions packed into fewer days.
A Packed Weekend Format: Sprint Returns to Shake Things Up
The Sprint format has quickly become a fan-favorite, and Miami will see its return for the second time this season. The format compresses the weekend, offering less practice and more racing action. Teams will only have a single Free Practice session—scheduled for Friday at 12:30 p.m. local time (18:30 CEST)—to fine-tune their cars and gather crucial setup data. This puts a premium on preparation and precision, especially in a setting as unpredictable and demanding as Miami.
Later that day, at 4:30 p.m. local time (22:30 CEST), teams will jump directly into qualifying. This session will determine the grid for Saturday’s Sprint race, a short and intense 100-kilometer dash set to take place at noon local time (18:00 CEST). While not awarding as many championship points as the Grand Prix itself, the Sprint can offer a crucial advantage by allowing drivers to gain positions and momentum ahead of the main event.
Four hours after the Sprint, traditional qualifying for the Grand Prix will begin at 4:00 p.m. local (22:00 CEST) on Saturday. The Grand Prix race itself will take place over 57 laps, covering a total distance of 308.326 kilometers. Lights out for the main event is scheduled for Sunday at 4:00 p.m. local (22:00 CEST), promising a spectacle in the sun-soaked streets of Miami.
Celebrating a Milestone: One Year of Ferrari–HP Partnership
Beyond the racing action, the Miami Grand Prix also marks a significant milestone for Scuderia Ferrari. This weekend celebrates the one-year anniversary of its title partnership with global technology leader HP. Since joining forces in 2024, HP and Ferrari have collaborated not only on performance-driven innovation but also on fan engagement and digital experiences.
To honor the occasion, Ferrari has unveiled a special livery for the SF-25, the team’s 2025 challenger. The commemorative design was revealed during a press event in Miami attended by Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, along with Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur. The unveiling was accompanied by the presentation of an “HP Messages of Forza” banner—a unique initiative allowing fans from around the world to share supportive messages with the team. These messages symbolize the passion and community spirit that define Ferrari’s global following.
The visually striking livery and celebratory events add an extra layer of excitement to what is already shaping up to be one of the season’s marquee weekends.
Track Profile: The Unique Challenge of the Miami International Autodrome
First introduced to the Formula 1 calendar in 2022, the Miami International Autodrome has quickly become known for its hybrid street circuit characteristics. Measuring 5.412 kilometers in length and comprising 19 corners, the track weaves its way through the complex surrounding the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
The layout is notable for its blend of high-speed straights and slower, more technical sections. This dynamic combination presents a demanding challenge for drivers and engineers alike, as they must strike a delicate balance between aerodynamic efficiency and cornering stability. The long straights reward low-drag setups, while the twisting middle sectors and braking zones require mechanical grip and traction.
Key overtaking opportunities include the DRS-assisted runs between turns 8 and 11, as well as between turns 16 and 17. These zones encourage aggressive moves and often result in wheel-to-wheel battles—a hallmark of the Miami race that thrills fans both at the circuit and watching around the world.
Tyre Strategy and Weather: Pirelli’s Choices and Heat Management
Pirelli has opted to bring the C3, C4, and C5 compounds to Miami—the same trio used at the recent Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in Jeddah. These compounds are one step softer than those used in Miami last year, signaling a strategic shift that could influence pit stop strategies and tire management.
The track surface in Miami is relatively smooth, which, combined with the compound selection, may reduce tire wear during the early stages of the race weekend. However, the typically high ambient temperatures in South Florida—where track temperatures reached up to 55°C in 2024—introduce a critical variable: thermal degradation.
Managing tire temperatures will be key, especially with softer compounds more susceptible to overheating. Teams will need to keep a close eye on degradation patterns across all three compounds and adjust their race strategies accordingly. The circuit also tends to “rubber in” quickly, meaning grip levels improve significantly with each session, further affecting tire behavior and car balance.
Preparation Behind the Scenes: Ferrari’s Focus and Outlook
Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur emphasized the importance of preparation, particularly for a Sprint weekend where every minute counts. The team spent the days leading up to Miami at their headquarters in Maranello, analyzing data from the first triple-header of the season and fine-tuning their approach to suit the demands of a compressed race schedule.
“After several days spent in Maranello analyzing the data acquired during the first triple-header of the season, we are ready to get back on track in Miami,” said Vasseur. “In many ways, it’s a unique race, and over this weekend in Florida, we will also be celebrating the first anniversary of our partnership with title sponsor, HP.”
Vasseur acknowledged the limitations imposed by having just one hour of practice before qualifying but pointed out that the team’s simulator work and internal briefings have become more critical than ever. With less on-track time, Ferrari is leaning on virtual tools and strategic simulations to make decisions about car setup and tire usage.
“Our objective is to continue improving the performance of the SF-25,” Vasseur added. “We are encouraged by the good progress seen in the Bahrain and Jeddah races and look forward to applying what we’ve learned to this weekend’s unique challenges.”
Momentum and Milestones
As Formula 1 continues its expansion in the United States, the Miami Grand Prix offers a potent mix of elite racing, cultural spectacle, and brand storytelling. It’s a race that not only showcases top-tier motorsport talent but also celebrates the partnerships and innovation that power the teams behind the scenes.
For Ferrari, this weekend represents both a competitive opportunity and a symbolic celebration. With a revamped livery, renewed confidence in their car’s pace, and the support of a passionate global fanbase, the Scuderia will be looking to leave a mark in Miami—on and off the track.
As the engines roar to life under the Florida sun, one thing is certain: the 2025 Miami Grand Prix promises to deliver the kind of drama, intensity, and spectacle that only Formula 1 can provide.
