The wait is over, and Formula 1 is back in action with the highly anticipated Miami Grand Prix taking place on Sunday. Following a month-long hiatus, the racing community is eager to see the cars back on the track. In a recent development, the start time for Sunday's race has been rescheduled to 6 pm UK time (1 pm local time) due to the forecast of thunderstorms. This change aims to minimize the impact of the inclement weather on the race.
Kimi Antonelli, the current world championship leader, has secured pole position and is set to defend his six-point lead over teammate George Russell. The Mercedes team has had a strong start to the season, with wins in the first three races. However, the recent McLaren one-two finish in the Miami Sprint has indicated that the competition is heating up, thanks to upgrades introduced during the five-week break since the Japanese Grand Prix.
Antonelli's pole position is a testament to his skill, but the presence of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) in the top three promises an exhilarating race on Sunday. The unpredictable weather, with a high likelihood of rain, adds an extra layer of excitement, as the new 2026 cars have yet to be tested in wet conditions. The Miami track, which joined the F1 calendar in 2022, offers numerous opportunities for overtaking, particularly at the end of the long straights leading to Turn 11 and Turn 17.
As a street circuit, the proximity of the walls demands precision and punishes mistakes, but drivers must be willing to push the limits to achieve speed. Given the forecast of thunderstorms, the race start time has been moved forward to 6 pm UK time, with the hope that the race can be completed before the heavier rain sets in later in the afternoon. For viewers, Sky Sports will provide comprehensive coverage of the event. The schedule includes the F2 Feature Race on Sunday at 2:25 pm, followed by the Miami GP build-up at 4 pm, and the main event, the Miami Grand Prix, at 6 pm.
Post-race analysis will be available on 'Chequered Flag' at 8 pm and 'Ted's Notebook' at 9 pm. Sky Customers can watch the race on Sky Sports F1, starting from the first practice session on Friday. The Sky Sports app offers an alternative viewing option, with the added feature of onboard driver footage.
Non-Sky customers can stream the action using a NOW Day or Month pass. Live blog coverage will be available for those on the move, and highlights can be watched for free on the Sky Sports app shortly after the race.