F1 Miami Grand Prix returns with sprint format this weekend

Formula 1 heads to the Miami International Autodrome for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix after a five-week break. Mercedes leads the teams' standings, with teenager Kimi Antonelli topping the drivers' championship ahead of teammate George Russell. Friday features the only practice session followed by sprint shootout qualifying.

The Miami Grand Prix, first held in 2022, runs on a 3.363-mile street circuit with 19 turns in Miami Gardens, Florida. Locked into the F1 calendar until at least 2041, the event marks the season's return following FIA regulation tweaks during the April hiatus. Mercedes dominated the opening three rounds, positioning them as favorites. Antonelli holds a nine-point lead over Russell after consecutive victories. Friday's schedule kicks off with Free Practice 1 at 12:00 p.m. EST, followed hours later by Sprint Shootout Qualifying at 4:30 p.m. EST. Saturday brings the Sprint Race at noon and Grand Prix Qualifying at 4:00 p.m., culminating in Sunday's main race at 4:00 p.m. Weather forecasts predict dry conditions for Friday and Saturday, with partly sunny skies and highs around 85°F (29°C) on Friday rising to 88°F (31°C) Saturday. Sunday carries an 80% chance of afternoon thunderstorms near 82°F (28°C). Viewers in the UK can watch on Sky Sports, while U.S. fans have Apple TV coverage. F1 TV offers global streaming, and Motorsport.com provides live text updates.

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F1 cars poised on Miami GP grid under stormy skies ahead of rescheduled 1 PM start.
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F1 advances Miami GP start to 1pm amid thunderstorm threat

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Formula 1 officials have moved the start of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix forward by three hours to 1pm local time on Sunday due to forecasts of heavy rain and thunderstorms. The decision followed discussions between the FIA, FOM, and Miami organizers on Saturday evening. The change aims to provide a larger window for completing the race safely before conditions worsen.

The 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, round four and a sprint weekend at the Miami International Autodrome, follows cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races due to Middle Eastern conflict, capping a five-week break since Japan. Teams roll out major upgrades amid FIA regulation tweaks after early-season drama.

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Formula 1 team principals expect the Miami Grand Prix to mark the start of a new championship phase, with major car upgrades from frontrunners. The race on the first weekend of May follows cancellations of April events in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the US-Israel war on Iran. Leaders from Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull highlighted the intense development push ahead of the Florida showdown.

In the 2026 F1 Miami GP's extended 90-minute practice session, Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli and George Russell led long-run averages on heavy fuel, simulating race pace. Ferrari and Red Bull showed improvements, narrowing the gap to the leaders ahead of the sprint weekend.

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Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in the sole practice session for the Miami Grand Prix, edging out Max Verstappen by 0.297 seconds. Kimi Antonelli, the Formula 1 championship leader, faced power unit issues that ended his session early. The session marked the first on-track action since Japan due to cancelled Middle East races.

Kimi Antonelli claimed his third consecutive victory at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix on May 3, his first from pole despite a poor start, extending his championship lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell to 20 points (100-80). The 19-year-old Italian held off McLaren's Lando Norris in a race packed with spins, crashes, safety cars, and penalties for Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, earning praise from international media and celebrity cheers from Rafael Nadal and Lionel Messi.

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The 2026 Formula 1 season opens on March 8 at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne's Albert Park, launching a new era with smaller redesigned cars, 50% electrified hybrid engines, active aerodynamics replacing DRS, and an expanded 11-team grid including newcomers Cadillac and Audi. Defending champion Lando Norris of McLaren faces strong preseason favorites Mercedes and George Russell (+200 odds), with Ferrari and Red Bull close behind; Aston Martin struggled in testing despite Adrian Newey's leadership. US broadcasts shift to Apple TV, and fans can submit championship predictions until March 6.

 

 

 

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