Overview
Formula 1 returns after a five-week break with a Sprint weekend in Miami as the 2026 season resumes. Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship after back-to-back wins in China and Japan, nine points clear of Mercedes team-mate George Russell. Mercedes have won each of the opening three races, but regulation tweaks and widespread upgrades arriving in Miami mean the pecking order could change.
Ferrari and McLaren will push to close the gap; Lando Norris returns to the track where he scored his first Grand Prix victory in 2024. Oscar Piastri came close to stopping Mercedes’ streak in Japan but was hampered by Safety Car timing, while quick-starting Ferraris should be podium contenders. Max Verstappen sits ninth in the standings and has recently discussed his future in F1, so his response to power-unit regulation changes will be watched closely.
The circuit
Miami International Autodrome joined the F1 calendar in 2022. The street-style layout offers several overtaking chances, notably at the end of long straights into Turn 11 and Turn 17. Walls are close here, so precision is essential: mistakes are costly.
Weather forecast
Saturday: expected dry and hot, air temperatures around 30°C.
Sunday: thunderstorms are forecast with a high chance of rain that could affect the Grand Prix.
Weekend format
This is a Sprint event: there is only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying on Friday night, followed by the Sprint and the Grand Prix over the weekend.
Miami GP 2026 dates, UK start times and Sky Sports F1 schedule
Saturday May 2
– 2.55pm: F2 Sprint
– 4.00pm: Miami GP Sprint build-up
– 5.00pm: MIAMI GP SPRINT
– 6.30pm: Ted’s Sprint Notebook
– 8.00pm: Miami GP Qualifying build-up*
– 9.00pm: MIAMI GP QUALIFYING*
– 11.00pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
Sunday May 3
– 5.25pm: F2 Feature Race
– 7.00pm: Miami GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
– 9.00pm: THE MIAMI GRAND PRIX*
– 11.00pm: Miami GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
– 12.00am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
How to watch or stream the Miami Grand Prix in the UK and Ireland
Got Sky?
– TV: Sky customers can watch live from first practice on Friday through to the Miami Grand Prix on Sky Sports F1. Sunday’s race starts at 9pm (UK time).
– App: Sky customers can stream via the Sky Sports app, including onboard driver feeds.
Not got Sky?
– Stream: Non-Sky customers can access Sky Sports channels via NOW with a Day or Month pass (contract-free).
– Live blog: Follow the weekend with dedicated live coverage via Sky Sports’ F1 live blog.
– Free highlights: F1 highlights are available shortly after the race via the Sky Sports app.
How to watch with the Sky Sports app (Sky subscribers)
1. Download or open the Sky Sports app.
2. Go to the ‘Watch’ section for pre-race build-up.
3. Select Sky Sports F1 or Sky Sports Main Event.
4. Sign in with your Sky iD (one-time sign-in).
What is NOW?
NOW is an instant streaming service that offers access to all Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+ streams across many devices. It provides contract-free Day or Month memberships and can be used immediately after sign-up.
Summary
Formula 1 returns to Miami for a Sprint weekend as the 2026 season picks up. Watch live on Sky Sports F1 — Sunday’s Grand Prix starts at 9pm (UK time). If you don’t have Sky, stream Sky Sports using NOW.