Formula 1 returns from a five-week break with the Miami Grand Prix 2026, running from Friday May 1 to Sunday May 3 at the Miami International Autodrome.
This is Round 4 of the 2026 championship after the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds, and the second Sprint weekend of the season.
Kimi Antonelli arrives as the Drivers’ Championship leader with a 9-point advantage over Mercedes team-mate George Russell, following back-to-back Mercedes 1-2 finishes in China and Japan.
Oscar Piastri returns as the defending Miami GP winner, while Max Verstappen sits ninth in the standings amid reported concerns about his F1 future.
The FIA has extended Friday’s Free Practice session to 90 minutes in recognition of the mid-season gap and the recent regulatory tweaks.
Miami Grand Prix 2026 Schedule
The Miami GP follows a Sprint format, so Friday goes straight into competitive running after the single practice session. Meanwhile, the Sprint race runs on Saturday, and the main Grand Prix takes place on Sunday.
| Date | Session | Local Time (EDT) | BST (UK) | CET (Europe) | IST (India) | AEST (Australia) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday, May 1 | Free Practice 1 (90 min) | 12:00 – 13:30 | 17:00 – 18:30 | 18:00 – 19:30 | 21:30 – 23:00 | 02:00 – 03:30 (Sat) |
| Friday, May 1 | Sprint Qualifying | 16:30 – 17:14 | 21:30 – 22:14 | 22:30 – 23:14 | 02:00 – 02:44 (Sat) | 06:30 – 07:14 (Sat) |
| Saturday, May 2 | Sprint Race | 12:00 | 17:00 | 18:00 | 21:30 | 02:00 (Sun) |
| Saturday, May 2 | Qualifying | 16:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 01:30 (Sun) | 06:00 (Sun) |
| Sunday, May 3 | Miami Grand Prix (57 laps) | 16:00 | 21:00 | 22:00 | 01:30 (Mon) | 06:00 (Mon) |
The race itself lights out at 16:00 EDT on Sunday, May 3, which is 21:00 BST in the UK, 01:30 IST on Monday May 4 in India, and 06:00 AEST on Monday May 4 in Australia.
Miami Grand Prix 2026: Preview
Formula 1 resumes after more than a month off, and the five-week gap could reshape the 2026 pecking order. Every team brings upgrades to Miami, and the FIA has also rolled out fresh technical and regulatory tweaks ahead of this weekend.
Mercedes On a Roll
Mercedes have won all three opening races of the 2026 season, splitting the victories between George Russell and Kimi Antonelli.
Antonelli claimed his maiden F1 win in China and followed it up with victory in Japan, putting him at the top of the standings with a 9-point cushion over Russell.
The Silver Arrows arrive in Miami as clear favourites.
McLaren and Ferrari Hunting for Recovery
McLaren endured a disastrous double DNS in Shanghai, though Piastri came close to stopping the Mercedes winning streak in Japan before the timing of a Safety Car cost him.
Ferrari have posted three-four finishes in Australia and China, with Lewis Hamilton securing his first podium for the team at the Chinese GP.
Both teams are expected to close the gap at Miami with upgrades.
Verstappen’s Uncertain Future
Max Verstappen sits ninth in the Drivers’ Championship, a position no recent world champion has found themselves in at this stage.
Reports suggest he has been considering his F1 future amid frustrations with the new regulations. A strong Miami weekend is critical for Red Bull to reverse their slide.
FP1 Extended to 90 Minutes
The FIA has confirmed Free Practice 1 will run for 90 minutes at Miami, up from the standard 60.
The decision was made in recognition of the five-week gap since Japan, the recent regulatory adjustments, and the reduced practice time that comes with Sprint weekends.
FP1 now runs from 12:00 to 13:30 local time, with all preceding track sessions shifted forward by 30 minutes.
Miami International Autodrome: Circuit Details
The Miami International Autodrome is a 5.412 km temporary circuit laid out around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
It has hosted F1 since 2022 under a 10-year contract, making 2026 the fifth running of the race.
The track runs anti-clockwise across 19 turns with three DRS zones and top speeds over 320 km/h.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Circuit Name | Miami International Autodrome |
| Location | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida |
| First F1 Race | 2022 |
| Track Length | 5.412 km |
| Number of Laps | 57 |
| Race Distance | 308.326 km |
| Turns | 19 |
| Direction | Anti-clockwise |
| DRS Zones | 3 |
| Lap Record | 1:29.708 (Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 2023) |
| Track Record (Qualifying) | 1:26.814 (Max Verstappen, Red Bull, Q2 2023) |
| Top Speed Recorded | 214.7 mph / 345.6 kph |
The circuit features the Esses-style Turns 11 and 17 DRS zones, which are the primary overtaking spots.
The Turn 14-15 chicane has an uphill approach with a crest in the middle, then drops away on exit, making it one of the more demanding sections.
Miami Grand Prix Stats and Records
The Miami GP is still a young race with just four editions in the books, but it has already produced distinctive records and patterns.
Previous Miami Grand Prix Winners
| Year | Winner | Team | Pole Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Charles Leclerc |
| 2023 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull | Sergio Perez |
| 2024 | Lando Norris | McLaren | Max Verstappen |
| 2025 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren | Oscar Piastri |
Key Miami GP Records
- Most wins: Max Verstappen with 2 (2022, 2023)
- Most poles: Oscar Piastri (2025 Sprint and main race), Max Verstappen (2024), Sergio Perez (2023), Charles Leclerc (2022)
- Fastest race lap ever: 1:29.708, Max Verstappen, 2023
- Fastest qualifying lap ever: 1:26.814, Max Verstappen, Q2 2023
- Smallest winning margin: 3.786 seconds (2022)
- Largest winning margin: 7.612 seconds (2024)
- Pole-to-win record: 0 from 4 (no polesitter has ever won the Miami GP)
- Safety Car appearances: 2022, 2024
- Red-flagged races: 0
- Rain-affected sessions: 0
The statistic that stands out most at Miami is the pole-curse. In four editions, no front-row starter has ever won the race.
Verstappen won from 3rd in 2022 and 9th in 2023, Norris won from 5th in 2024, and Piastri is the only pole-winner still missing from the winners’ list at pole position, having won from the front in 2025 after starting there.
Fastest Laps at Miami (Season by Season)
| Year | Fastest Lap | Driver | Team |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1:31.361 | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2023 | 1:29.708 (lap record) | Max Verstappen | Red Bull |
| 2024 | 1:30.634 | Oscar Piastri | McLaren |
| 2025 | To be confirmed | — | — |
Miami Grand Prix 2026 Predictions
Based on the form coming into Miami, Mercedes should enter as clear favourites, but the five-week break and new upgrades add significant uncertainty.
Race Winner Pick
Kimi Antonelli looks the safest bet to maintain his championship lead with another strong performance.
However, Oscar Piastri is the dark horse. He was a Safety Car away from winning in Japan and returns as the defending Miami winner.
A Piastri-Antonelli duel is the most likely podium battle.
Pole Position Pick
George Russell has been the more consistent qualifier within Mercedes this season and should start ahead of Antonelli on the grid. Watch for Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari, who has genuine pace at street-style circuits.
Dark Horse
Charles Leclerc historically qualifies well at Miami and has been Ferrari’s quickest weapon so far in 2026. If the upgrades land, he is the most likely non-Mercedes driver on the front row.
Sprint Race
The Sprint format rewards consistency and clean starts. Given Mercedes’ form, expect either Russell or Antonelli to convert Sprint Qualifying pole into a Sprint win, with 8 additional championship points up for grabs.
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FAQs: Miami Grand Prix 2026
The Miami Grand Prix 2026 is held from Friday May 1 to Sunday May 3, 2026, at the Miami International Autodrome.
Lights out for the Miami Grand Prix is at 16:00 EDT on Sunday, May 3, 2026, which is 21:00 BST in the UK.
The Miami Grand Prix 2026 starts at 06:00 AEST on Monday, May 4, 2026, in Australia. The race runs in the early morning hours for Australian viewers.
The Miami Grand Prix 2026 starts at 01:30 IST on Monday, May 4, 2026, for Indian viewers.
Yes, the Miami Grand Prix 2026 is the second Sprint weekend of the 2026 F1 season. Friday features Free Practice 1 and Sprint Qualifying. Saturday hosts the Sprint race and main Qualifying. Sunday hosts the main Grand Prix.
Oscar Piastri won the 2025 Miami Grand Prix for McLaren, becoming the third different driver to win at the Miami International Autodrome.
Max Verstappen holds the record with 2 wins at Miami (2022 and 2023). Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri each have 1 win.
The Miami GP lap record is 1:29.708, set by Max Verstappen in a Red Bull RB19 during the 2023 race on lap 56.
The race takes place at the Miami International Autodrome, a 5.412 km temporary circuit laid out around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The Miami Grand Prix is 57 laps, covering a total race distance of 308.326 km.
The Miami GP is broadcast on Sky Sports F1 in the UK, Apple TV in the United States, Fox Sports in Australia, and F1 TV Pro in selected countries globally.
The FIA extended FP1 to 90 minutes in recognition of the five-week gap since the Japanese GP, the recent regulatory and technical adjustments, and the reduced practice time that comes with Sprint weekends.
