As F1 Academy arrives in Miami for Round 3 of the 2025 season, anticipation is high. The Miami International Autodrome, a high-speed circuit set around the Hard Rock Stadium, promises a dramatic change of pace from the narrow walls and night lights of Jeddah.
Here Are the F1 Academy Storylines to Look Out for in Miami
This returning venue from last year’s calendar is no stranger to unpredictability, and with a reshuffled championship order, several drivers are hoping to gain, or regain, momentum in the intense Florida heat.
Ready to tune in for Round 3? 📺
Here’s when F1 Academy is on track in Miami this weekend. ☀️#MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/NG9UEBiroF
— F1 Academy (@f1academy) May 1, 2025
Maya Weug Takes the Lead – But Can She Keep It?
After an impressive run of form, Ferrari-backed Maya Weug enters the Miami weekend as the new championship leader.
Her calculated drive in Jeddah, capitalising on reverse-grid opportunities and outscoring main rival Doriane Pin, has launched her to the top of the table with a seven-point margin.
Previously trailing by five points, Weug’s turnaround has been incredible. While she and Pin remain evenly matched in Sunday’s headline races, it’s in the Saturday sprint-style Race 1 where the Dutch driver has carved out her advantage, gaining nine positions across two rounds compared to Pin’s six.
Now, for the first time in her F1 Academy career, Weug finds herself as the hunted rather than the hunter in Miami. Can she maintain this momentum under pressure?
READ MORE: Will Red Bull Struggle at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix?
Lloyd Eyes More Than a Sprint Win
Ella Lloyd’s breakthrough win in Jeddah’s Race 1 was a moment to savour, but not one to settle on. The McLaren-supported driver showed her racecraft in reverse-grid conditions, but it is clear she wants to win from the front, especially in Race 2.
Despite being a newcomer to Miami, Lloyd is not coming in blind.
Her Rodin Motorsport team dominated here last season with Abbi Pulling, and Lloyd now has a strong data baseline to work from. If she can nail qualifying, there is every chance she will be challenging for more than just reverse-grid glory in Miami.
How Will the Rookies Fare?
So far, the 2025 F1 Academy season has been successful for its rookies. With over half of the points finishes in Shanghai and Jeddah claimed by first-year drivers, there is every reason to expect more surprises in Miami.
However, this time around, there is a twist. The absence of any prior testing at the 5.41km circuit means the opening laps of Free Practice 1 will be a push to get to grips with the circuit.
For newcomers, it’s about adapting quickly. For returnees such as Weug, Pin, and Chloe Chambers, familiarity could provide an important edge, at least early on.
The track is a blend of long straights, tight technical sectors, and several tricky elevation changes. The Miami International Autodrome layout rewards rhythm and risk in equal measure.
Dobson Debuts with Morgan Stanley
American driver Ava Dobson joins the F1 Academy’s grid in Miami as the Wild Card entry, backed by Morgan Stanley, the series’ first financial services partner.
The 16-year-old Milwaukee native will race in a bespoke Morgan Stanley-branded livery and race suit, piloting the #90 Hitech TGR car on home turf.
Dobson, a rising talent from the Formula 4 US Championship and GB4 series, has already impressed in her 2025 campaign. Her appearance in Miami highlights both her growing profile and Morgan Stanley’s broader commitment to championing women in motorsport through on-track support and off-track activations.
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Pressure Builds at ART Grand Prix
ART Grand Prix have experienced a poor start to 2025. Between Lia Block’s repeated misfortune in qualifying and a string of retirements for Aurelia Nobels and Courtney Crone, the French team find themselves second to last in the standings, clinging to a single-point lead over Hitech TGR.
However, Miami could offer a turning point.
This circuit brought ART their only podium in 2024, courtesy of Bianca Bustamante, and gave Block her first point in the series. With two American rounds ahead – and both Block and Crone enjoying a home-soil boost – the time is now for ART to reset and rebuild.
Team Manager Sébastien Soullier has spoken of the need for consistency. Whether it comes through cleaner weekends or a stroke of fortune, ART’s drivers will need both grit and focus to claw their way back into contention.
The Weekend Ahead
Track walk around the iconic Hard Rock Stadium? Complete. 👊
Miami, we’re ready for Round 3.#F1Academy #MiamiGP pic.twitter.com/PGhvVf4PJU
— F1 Academy (@f1academy) May 2, 2025
The F1 Academy grid is set to take Miami by storm with a weekend of high-stakes battles and evolving stories. From championship clashes at the front to recovery missions at the back, this round could prove a crucial pivot point in the 2025 season. Do not miss from May 2 to 4.
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Main Photo
- Credit: IMAGO / PsnewZ
- Recording Date: 05/02/2025
