The Formula 1 calendar is kicking back into gear this weekend as the Miami Grand Prix returns after a hiatus of more than a month. Organisers have been forced to tweak the timetable at the last minute because of an approaching thunderstorm, pulling the start time forward by three hours so that the race now begins at 6 p.m.
UK time (1 p.m. local Miami time).
The hope is that the event will be able to run its full distance before the heavier rain that is forecast for the afternoon arrives. Leading the championship heading into the weekend is Kimi Antonelli, who secured pole position for the main race.
Antonelli, who currently enjoys a six‑point advantage over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, will be looking to turn that qualifying success into a victory and widen the gap at the top of the standings. Mercedes dominated the opening three rounds of the 2026 season, but a strong McLaren one‑two finish in Saturday's sprint race in Miami suggested that the development work carried out during the five‑week break after the Japanese Grand Prix is beginning to tighten the competition among the front‑running teams. Antonelli’s pole was contested by a solid line‑up behind him.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified second, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc took third. With such a mix of manufacturers and driver talent at the front, Sunday’s race promises plenty of on‑track drama, especially if the weather turns wet.
The new 2026 specification cars have not yet been tested in rain, so any precipitation could throw a wrench into strategies and expose any lingering handling quirks. Miami’s street circuit, which entered the F1 roster in 2022, is renowned for its overtaking opportunities. The layout features long straight sections that feed into heavy braking zones at Turn 11 and the sweeping Turn 17, creating prime spots for drivers to make bold moves. However, the proximity of the concrete barriers means that any mistake is quickly punished, and precision is essential for anyone hoping to stay in contention.
For fans who want to watch the action live, Sky Sports offers several options. Sky subscribers can tune in to Sky Sports F1 on television from the opening practice session on Friday afternoon through to the Grand Prix itself on Sunday at 6 p.m. UK time. The same coverage is also available via the Sky Sports app, which lets viewers follow the race from any compatible device and even choose a driver‑by‑driver commentary feed.
If you don’t have a Sky subscription, you can still stream the event through the NOW platform. NOW provides contract‑free access to all twelve Sky Sports channels, including Sky Sports F1, and can be purchased on a day‑pass or month‑pass basis.
The service works on more than 60 devices, allowing you to watch on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV. Membership can be cancelled at any time, making it a flexible choice for occasional viewers.
In addition to the live broadcast, Sky Sports runs a dedicated F1 live blog that offers minute‑by‑minute updates for those on the move. Highlights are posted shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app, so you can catch up on any missed action.
For deeper analysis, the network also produces The F1 Show podcast and a range of post‑race programmes such as the Miami GP reaction segment and Ted’s Notebook, all of which are available on Sky Sports Main Event. The weekend schedule is packed: - Sunday, May 3 – 2:25 p.m.: Formula 2 Feature Race - 4:00 p.m.: Miami GP build‑up programme - 6:00 p.m.: The Miami Grand Prix (live) - 8:00 p.m.: Post‑race reaction and Chequered Flag analysis - 9:00 p.m.: Ted’s Notebook recap Both the reaction show and the notebook segment also air on Sky Sports Main Event for those who prefer a traditional TV experience. Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the most reliable video player performance on the Sky Sports website. For Sky customers who need assistance with their account, the Sky iD help page provides guidance on locating or creating your Sky iD, which is required to access the streaming services.
More information about NOW, including the latest pricing for day and month memberships, can be found on the official NOW website. In summary, the Miami Grand Prix offers a thrilling mix of high‑speed street‑circuit action, a reshuffled start time to dodge the forecast thunderstorms, and a championship battle that could see Antonelli extend his lead or be challenged by the likes of Verstappen and Leclerc.
Whether you watch via traditional satellite, the Sky Sports app, or the contract‑free NOW streaming service, you’ll be able to follow every lap of the race as the 2026 Formula 1 season picks up momentum in sunny (and possibly rainy) Miami.