Formula One is back after more than a month away, and the excitement kicks off with a Sprint weekend in Miami as the 2026 championship gets underway again. The weekend promises a blend of high‑speed drama, strategic intrigue, and a fresh chance for teams to shake up the early‑season order. At the top of the Drivers' Championship, Kimi Antonelli holds a narrow lead after clinching back‑to‑back victories in China and Japan. His nine‑point cushion over fellow Mercedes driver George Russell reflects a tightly contested battle for supremacy.
Mercedes, which has dominated the first three rounds of the season, may see its advantage tested as the five‑week pause allowed rivals to develop and install upgrades. Every team will arrive in Miami eager to see whether their new parts can close the gap to the German outfit. Ferrari and McLaren are among those hoping to narrow the distance to Mercedes. Lando Norris, who celebrated his maiden Grand Prix win on this very circuit in 2024, returns with confidence and a clear target: to replicate that success and push the Red Bull‑led pack.
Oscar Piastri also showed he can challenge the Mercedes streak, coming close to breaking it in Japan before a safety‑car period thwarted his chances. The Ferraris, which have shown impressive early‑season pace, are expected to fight for front‑row positions, giving Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton another opportunity to stand on the podium. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen finds himself in an unexpected ninth place in the standings. The reigning champion has hinted at uncertainty about his future in the sport, sparking speculation about how he will react to the forthcoming power‑unit regulation changes and whether his earlier threats to quit will translate into action.
All eyes will be on his comments and performance as the weekend unfolds. Because the Miami event is a Sprint format, the schedule is compressed. There is only one practice session on Friday, extended to ninety minutes rather than the usual hour to make up for the reduced on‑track time.
After that, the evening moves straight into Sprint Qualifying, followed by the Sprint race itself on Saturday. The traditional Grand Prix qualifying and the main race will then take place on Sunday, completing a full weekend of competitive action. The Miami circuit, added to the calendar in 2022, is a street‑track that rewards bravery and precision.
Long straights feed into heavy braking zones at Turn 11 and Turn 17, creating prime overtaking opportunities. However, the proximity of the walls means any mistake is costly, and drivers must balance aggression with exacting car control to stay in contention.
Weather forecasts suggest a typical Miami summer: dry and hot on Friday and Saturday with temperatures hovering around 30 °C. Sunday, the day of the Grand Prix, brings a higher probability of thunderstorms, meaning rain could play a decisive role in strategy and tyre choice.
For viewers, Sky Sports offers several ways to watch. Sky customers can tune in on Sky Sports F1 from the opening practice on Friday afternoon through to the Grand Prix on Sunday night. The Sky Sports app also provides a mobile option, complete with a feature that lets fans experience the race from a driver’s perspective.
Those without a Sky subscription can stream the weekend via the NOW service, which offers flexible day‑or‑month passes without a long‑term contract. Additionally, a live blog will deliver minute‑by‑minute updates for anyone on the move, and highlights will be available shortly after the checkered flag on the Sky Sports app.
Below is a concise rundown of the weekend’s timetable (all times are UK local): Friday, May 1: - 2:25 pm – F2 Practice - 4:30 pm – Miami GP Practice (starts at 5:00 pm, 90 min) - 7:25 pm – F2 Qualifying - 8:10 pm – Team Principals’ Press Conference - 8:40 pm – Miami GP Sprint Qualifying (session begins at 9:30 pm) Saturday, May 2: - 2:55 pm – F2 Sprint - 4:00 pm – Miami GP Sprint build‑up - 5:00 pm – Miami GP Sprint race - 6:30 pm – Ted’s Sprint Notebook analysis - 8:00 pm – Qualifying build‑up - 9:00 pm – Miami GP Qualifying (followed by Ted’s Qualifying Notebook) Sunday, May 3: - 5:25 pm – F2 Feature Race - 7:00 pm – Grand Prix build‑up - 9:00 pm – THE MIAMI GRAND PRIX (live on Sky Sports Main Event) - 11:00 pm – Post‑race reaction and Chequered Flag coverage - 12:00 am – Ted’s Race Notebook recap All of the highlighted sessions are also broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event for easy access. How to access the coverage: - **TV:** Sky subscribers can watch the entire weekend on Sky Sports F1.
- **App:** The Sky Sports app offers live streaming and an optional driver‑camera view. - **Streaming:** Non‑Sky users can purchase a NOW Day or Month pass for contract‑free streaming of all Sky Sports channels. - **Live Blog:** A dedicated F1 blog provides real‑time text updates for those on the go. - **Highlights:** Short after the race ends, highlights are uploaded to the Sky Sports app for quick re‑watch.
Sky Sports subscribers also have access to Sky ID support, helping them locate or create their Sky ID for seamless login across devices. NOW, the streaming platform, supports over 60 devices and offers both day‑pass and month‑pass options, making it simple to watch the Miami Grand Prix without a long‑term commitment. In summary, the Miami Sprint weekend marks the first return of Formula 1 action after a month’s hiatus.
With a tightly packed schedule, potential weather disruptions, and a track that rewards daring yet precise driving, fans can expect an exciting showdown. Whether you’re a Sky subscriber, a NOW streamer, or simply following the live blog, there are plenty of ways to stay connected to every twist and turn of the Miami Grand Prix.