The wait is over, and Formula 1 is back in action with a thrilling Sprint weekend in Miami, marking the resumption of the 2026 season. Kimi Antonelli is currently leading the Drivers' Championship, thanks to consecutive wins in China and Japan, giving him a nine-point lead over his Mercedes teammate George Russell.
Mercedes has dominated the first three races, but with regulatory tweaks and a five-week break, the team standings might shift as all teams unveil their upgrades in Miami. Ferrari and McLaren are hopeful of closing the gap to Mercedes, especially with Lando Norris returning to the track where he claimed his maiden Grand Prix victory in 2024.
Oscar Piastri was close to ending Mercedes' winning streak in Japan but was unfortunate with the timing of a Safety Car. The quick-starting Ferraris, including Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, are also poised to feature at the front of the field. Max Verstappen, who is ninth in the standings, recently expressed considerations about his future in F1, so attention will be focused on his thoughts regarding the power unit regulation changes and whether he still intends to follow through on his quit threat.
As it is a Sprint event, there will only be one practice session before moving directly into Sprint Qualifying on Friday night, followed by competitive action for the rest of the weekend in Miami. Miami joined the F1 calendar in 2022, and its track layout offers numerous opportunities for overtaking, particularly at the end of long straights leading to Turn 11 and Turn 17. Given its nature as a street circuit, the walls are close, meaning mistakes will be penalized, but to achieve speed, drivers must be right against the barriers. The current weather forecast for Miami indicates dry and hot conditions on Saturday with an air temperature of around 30C.
However, there is a possibility of thunderstorms on race day, Sunday, which could impact the Grand Prix. For those looking to watch, the schedule includes F2 Sprint on Saturday at 4pm, followed by the Miami GP Sprint build-up, the Miami GP Sprint, and then the qualifying build-up and qualifying itself. On Sunday, the F2 Feature Race will precede the Miami GP build-up, the Grand Prix, and post-race reaction. Viewers can watch on Sky Sports F1, the Sky Sports app, or stream the action with a NOW Day or Month pass.
Live coverage and free highlights are also available for those on the move or preferring a different format.