The Formula 1 season is kicking back into gear this weekend with the Miami Grand Prix returning to the calendar after a hiatus of more than a month. Organisers have been forced to tweak the timetable at the last minute because of a looming thunderstorm threat, pushing the start time forward by three hours so that the race begins at 6 p.m.
UK time (1 p.m. local time in Miami). The aim is to get the bulk of the action under way before the heaviest rain arrives later in the afternoon, which should help preserve the spectacle and reduce the risk of a wet‑track interruption.
Leading the championship standings, Kimi Antonelli – the current title contender – secured pole position for the main race. His performance builds on the six‑point cushion he holds over his Mercedes teammate George Russell, a margin that could prove decisive as the season progresses. Mercedes dominated the opening trio of rounds, but the surprise one‑two finish for McLaren in Saturday’s sprint race at Miami indicated that the five‑week development window since the Japanese Grand Prix has allowed rivals to close the gap. That development spurt has set the stage for a tightly contested showdown at the front of the grid.
Antonelli’s pole lap was quickly followed by a strong showing from Max Verstappen, who lined up second for Red Bull, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc occupied the third spot on the grid. With such a mix of manufacturers represented among the top qualifiers, Sunday’s race promises a blend of speed, strategy, and on‑track drama. Adding to the intrigue is the forecasted rain; the new 2026 F1 cars have yet to be tested in fully wet conditions, so teams will be watching closely to see how the novel aerodynamics and tyre compounds behave when the track gets slick. Miami’s street circuit, a relatively recent addition to the F1 schedule that debuted in 2022, is famed for its high‑speed sections and ample overtaking opportunities.
The layout includes long straights that funnel into a series of heavy‑braking zones, notably the approaches to Turn 11 and Turn 17, where drivers can attempt daring passes. However, the proximity of concrete barriers means that any mistake can be costly, demanding precision and confidence from the drivers as they hug the walls at the limit. For fans looking to watch the event, Sky Sports provides several options.
Sky subscribers can tune in to Sky Sports F1 for all sessions, starting with Friday’s first practice and continuing through qualifying and the Sunday race. The coverage is also available via the Sky Sports app, which includes a feature that lets viewers select a driver’s onboard camera feed for a more immersive experience. If you don’t have a Sky subscription, the NOW streaming service offers a flexible alternative. NOW delivers all twelve Sky Sports channels and the Sky Sports+ streams without requiring a long‑term contract.
Viewers can purchase a day pass for a single event or opt for a month‑to‑month membership, both of which can be cancelled at any time. The service works on over 60 devices, making it easy to watch from a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or smart TV. In addition to live coverage, Sky Sports runs a dedicated F1 blog that provides real‑time updates for those on the move.
Highlights of the race become available shortly after the chequered flag on the Sky Sports app, allowing fans to catch up on key moments they may have missed. For those who enjoy deeper analysis, The F1 Show podcast offers expert commentary and interviews with drivers and team personnel.
Here’s a quick rundown of the weekend schedule: - Sunday, May 3 – 2:25 p.m.: Formula 2 Feature Race - 4:00 p.m.: Miami GP build‑up programming - 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 segment All times are listed in UK time. Viewers are advised to use the Chrome browser for the best video player performance on the Sky Sports website. To get started with Sky Sports, you’ll need a Sky iD – a simple identifier that can be created or retrieved via the Sky iD help page. Once logged in, you’ll have access to the full suite of live feeds, on‑demand replays, and interactive features.
In summary, the Miami Grand Prix offers a perfect blend of high‑speed street‑circuit action, a potentially wet track, and a championship battle that could reshape the standings. Whether you’re a Sky subscriber, a NOW streaming customer, or simply following the live blog, there are plenty of ways to stay connected to every twist and turn of the race. Tune in at 6 p.m. UK time on Sunday, May 3, and watch the drama unfold as the 2026 Formula 1 season continues its exciting journey.