In four editions of the Miami Grand Prix so far, neither pole position nor second place on the grid has ever produced the race winner — a curious and unique statistic in modern Formula 1.
A fresh start in the United States
The unusual spring break of more than a month in the Formula 1 calendar, caused by the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to the conflict in the Middle East and the Persian Gulf, has only increased anticipation for the Miami Grand Prix.
The Florida race effectively represents a “second start” to the season, with most teams expected to bring significant upgrade packages to their cars as the championship resumes.
The circuit built around the Hard Rock Stadium joined the calendar in 2022 following a strong push from Liberty Media and quickly became one of the standout events of the season. However, its reputation has been shaped more by the glamour and spectacle surrounding the weekend than by the intrinsic characteristics of the track itself.
Still, one peculiar statistic makes Miami a unique case — at least for now — within the Formula 1 calendar.
The ‘cursed’ front row
Across all four races held in Florida, no driver starting from the front row has ever gone on to win the Grand Prix. It is the only event currently on the calendar with such an unusual trend.
In the first two editions, in 2022 and 2023, the race was won by Max Verstappen, but on both occasions he did not start from the front row. In 2022 he lined up third on the grid, while in 2023 he started as far back as ninth. On those weekends, the front row was occupied by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz in one case, and Sergio Perez and Fernando Alonso in the other.
In the following two editions, 2024 and 2025, Max Verstappen found himself on the “wrong” side of the statistic. He secured pole position twice, but failed to convert either into victory. In 2024, the race instead delivered the first career win for Lando Norris, who had started from fifth position on the third row. Last season, it was the other McLaren of Oscar Piastri who claimed victory, starting from fourth on the grid, on the second row.
This year, predictions naturally point toward Mercedes, who have dominated the opening phase of the 2026 season. With George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the team has won the first three Grands Prix and consistently locked out the entire front row.
The question now is inevitable: will this be the moment when the apparent “curse” hanging over the front row in Miami is finally broken?
The Miami Grand Prix continues to be a statistical outlier where Saturday’s qualifying glory has yet to translate into Sunday’s ultimate prize. Whether it is due to the nature of the track’s overtaking opportunities or simply a string of circumstantial drama, the “front row jinx” adds a compelling layer of tension to this weekend’s proceedings.
Leave a Reply