The roar of engines returns to Miami this weekend, and for reigning champion Lando Norris and McLaren, it feels like the start of a whole new season. After a five-week break that reshuffled the calendar and brought regulation tweaks, the Miami Grand Prix isn't just another race—it's a pivotal moment that could define whether McLaren can defend their title.

McLaren has been making headlines off the track too, with a surprising expansion into golf equipment—a move that might have raised eyebrows from founding father Bruce McLaren. Yet under CEO Zak Brown's leadership, the team has grown from a £560m valuation in 2020 to an estimated £4bn today, trailing only Mercedes and Ferrari in Formula 1's financial standings. With over 50 sponsors and the reigning world champion's car as their canvas, McLaren is hungry for more.

"I think we can have a good season, even if we're not where we want to be right now," Norris admitted during the enforced spring break. "Although we haven't started the season where we want to be, we still want to push hard for the championship."

The Miami GP marks Formula 1's return after cancellations in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, and with the 2026 regulations now in effect—designed to reduce closing speeds and prevent massive crashes like Ollie Bearman's in Japan—this weekend feels like a fresh start. The sprint weekend format adds extra pressure, with only one practice session (now extended by 30 minutes) before qualifying. The temporary 19-turn street circuit around the Hard Rock Stadium will test every team's adaptability.

The burning question: can McLaren and others close the gap to Mercedes? Norris, when asked about the new cars compared to previous generations, was cautious. "It's too impossible to compare," he said. But for fans and the team alike, Miami will offer the first real glimpse of whether McLaren's championship hopes are built on solid foundations—or if they'll need to dig deeper to defend their crown.