Formula 1 is back on the calendar this weekend, with the Miami Grand Prix set to kick off on Sunday after a more than month‑long pause in the 2026 season. Organisers have been forced to reshuffle the timetable at the last minute because of a looming thunderstorm threat, moving the start time three hours earlier to 6 p.m. UK time (1 p.m. local Miami time) in an effort to steer clear of the worst of the weather.
The pole‑sitter for the main race will be world‑championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who will line up at the front of the grid hoping to stretch his six‑point advantage over his Mercedes teammate George Russell. Antonelli secured his front‑row position after a dominant performance in qualifying, following a strong showing in the Saturday sprint race where McLaren swept the top two places. That one‑two finish hinted that the five‑week development window since the Japanese Grand Prix has allowed teams to close the gap that Mercedes once enjoyed, making the battle for podium spots far tighter than earlier in the year.
While Antonelli occupies the first spot on the grid, the rest of the field promises plenty of intrigue. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will line up second, eager to add another podium to his impressive record, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start third, looking to capitalize on any mistakes from the leaders. The mixture of manufacturers and driver talent at the front of the pack should guarantee an action‑filled race, especially if the forecasted rain adds an extra layer of unpredictability.
Rain has never been a stranger to Miami, and the forecast of thunderstorms for Sunday has prompted officials to bring the start forward. The hope is that the race can be completed before heavier showers move in during the afternoon, allowing drivers to experience the brand‑new 2026 cars in wet conditions for the first time. Those cars, featuring updated aerodynamics and hybrid power units, have yet to be tested on a rain‑slick circuit, so teams will need to adapt quickly to changing grip levels and visibility. Miami entered the F1 calendar in 2022, and its street‑circuit layout is renowned for providing ample overtaking opportunities.
Long straights lead into a series of heavy braking zones, most notably at the end of the back‑straight before Turn 11 and again at Turn 17, where drivers can dive on the inside if they have the courage and the car’s performance to pull it off. However, the circuit’s tight walls mean that any mis‑calculation is quickly punished, demanding precision and confidence from every competitor. For fans wanting to watch the action live, Sky Sports offers several options. Sky customers can tune in on the Sky Sports F1 channel, beginning with Friday’s first practice session and continuing through qualifying and the Sunday race.
The same coverage is available via the Sky Sports app, where viewers can even select a driver’s onboard camera to experience the race from the cockpit. If you don’t have a Sky subscription, you can still stream the Grand Prix through the NOW service. NOW provides contract‑free access to all twelve Sky Sports channels, including Sky Sports F1, and can be used on more than 60 devices. You can choose a day‑pass for a single event or a month‑pass for unlimited viewing, both of which can be cancelled at any time.
This flexibility makes it easy for casual viewers to catch the Miami GP without committing to a long‑term contract. In addition to the live broadcast, Sky Sports runs a dedicated F1 live blog for those on the move, offering minute‑by‑minute updates, driver interviews, and behind‑the‑scenes insights. Highlights will be uploaded to the Sky Sports app shortly after the chequered flag falls, allowing fans to re‑watch key moments at their convenience.
The weekend schedule is packed: the F2 Feature Race begins at 2.25 p.m. on Sunday, followed by a build‑up show at 4 p.m., and the main Grand Prix at 6 p.m. post‑race analysis and reaction programmes will air at 8 p.m.
and 9 p.m., respectively, all on Sky Sports Main Event. Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience. To get started, make sure you have a Sky iD account – this is required for both the Sky Sports app and the NOW streaming service.
If you need help creating or locating your Sky iD, Sky’s support pages provide step‑by‑step instructions. In summary, the Miami Grand Prix offers a perfect blend of high‑speed street‑circuit action, a potentially rain‑soaked showdown, and a chance to see the new 2026 cars in their first wet‑weather test. 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 race. Don’t miss the excitement on Sunday, May 3, at 6 p.m.
UK time – it promises to be a memorable chapter in the 2026 Formula 1 season.