Formula 1 is back on the calendar, with the Miami Grand Prix set to take place on Sunday after a hiatus of more than a month without a race. The event has already seen a last‑minute adjustment to its timetable because of a looming thunderstorm threat. Organisers have moved the start time three hours earlier, so the race will now kick off at 6 p.m.
UK time (1 p.m. local Miami time) in an effort to avoid the heaviest rain expected later in the afternoon. The pole position for the main race has been secured by world‑championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who will look to stretch his six‑point advantage over his Mercedes teammate George Russell at the top of the drivers' standings. Antonelli’s qualifying performance came after a strong showing in the sprint race on Saturday, where McLaren achieved a one‑two finish, signalling that the upgrades introduced during the five‑week break since the Japanese Grand Prix have begun to close the gap with the dominant Mercedes squad.
While Mercedes claimed victory in the opening three rounds of the 2026 season, the Miami sprint suggested that the competition is tightening at the front of the grid. Antonelli answered the McLaren challenge by clinching pole for the full‑distance Grand Prix, but the line‑up behind him promises plenty of excitement. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will line up second, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start third, setting the stage for a thrilling battle among the sport’s biggest names.
Rain is expected to play a role at some point during the weekend, adding another layer of drama. The 2026 cars are brand‑new and have not yet been tested in wet conditions, so drivers will need to adapt quickly to reduced grip levels if the forecasted showers arrive. The Miami circuit, which debuted on the F1 calendar in 2022, is a street track that offers multiple overtaking opportunities.
Long straights feed into Turn 11 and Turn 17, where heavy braking zones provide prime passing spots. However, the close‑set walls characteristic of street circuits mean that any mistake can be severely punished, demanding precision and confidence from the drivers. For fans who want to watch the action live, Sky Sports provides several options.
Sky subscribers can tune in to Sky Sports F1 for all sessions, from the first practice on Friday afternoon through to the race on Sunday. The broadcast will be available on the Sky Sports app as well, allowing viewers to follow the race from any compatible device and even select a driver’s onboard camera feed for a more immersive experience.
If you are not a Sky customer, you can still stream the Grand Prix via the NOW service. NOW offers contract‑free access to all twelve Sky Sports channels, including Sky Sports F1, and you can choose a day‑pass or a month‑pass depending on how much coverage you need. The service works on over 60 devices, making it easy to watch on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or smart TV. Membership can be cancelled at any time, giving you flexibility if you only want to catch the Miami race.
In addition to the live broadcast, Sky Sports runs a dedicated F1 live blog that provides minute‑by‑minute updates for those on the move. Highlights will be posted shortly after the checkered flag on the Sky Sports app, so you can relive the key moments even if you missed the live action. For deeper analysis, you can listen to The F1 Show podcast, which often features expert commentary and driver interviews. Here’s a quick rundown of the weekend schedule: - Sunday, May 3 – 2:25 p.m.: F2 Feature Race - 4:00 p.m.: Miami GP build‑up programme - 6:00 p.m.: The Miami Grand Prix (live on Sky Sports Main Event) - 8:00 p.m.: Post‑race reaction and Chequered Flag analysis - 9:00 p.m.: Ted’s Notebook recap Both the build‑up show and the post‑race analysis will also be available on Sky Sports Main Event, giving fans a comprehensive view of the event before and after the checkered flag.
To ensure the best viewing experience, Sky recommends using the Chrome browser for its video player, which offers improved accessibility and smoother streaming. Whether you’re watching on a TV, laptop, or mobile device, the combination of live coverage, on‑board feeds, and expert commentary should make the Miami Grand Prix a memorable weekend for all Formula 1 enthusiasts. In summary, the Miami Grand Prix marks the return of Formula 1 for the 2026 season, with a revised start time aimed at dodging the worst of the forecasted thunderstorms.
Kimi Antonelli leads the championship and will start from pole, while a strong field featuring Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and the rest of the top teams promises an exciting race. Sky Sports provides multiple ways to watch – via satellite, the Sky Sports app, or the contract‑free NOW streaming service – and additional content such as live blogs, podcasts, and highlight reels ensures you won’t miss a beat of the action.