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Miami Grand Prix briefing
Formula 1 returns from its enforced break with tweaked regulations, upgraded cars and plenty to prove at the 2026 Miami Grand Prix
2026 Miami GP start time: how to watch, live stream and F1 schedule
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Watch F1 via live stream or on TV: dates and start time for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix
F1 is back with a sprint weekend in Miami
Grand Prix Photo
Formula 1 returns this weekend with a barrage of prime time competitive action: British fans can watch or stream the Miami Grand Prix which starts at 9pm on Sunday, which will follow Saturday evening’s sprint race and two qualifying sessions.
But fans waiting for Channel 4’s highlights will have to be patient, with qualifying, sprint and Grand Prix packages being broadcast in the early hours of the following days.
There will be plenty to watch for after a five-week break, due to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian races. F1 comes back with changes already in the pipeline, including power unit regulation tweaks aimed at reducing the excessive energy management that drew widespread criticism during the opening three rounds.
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As usual for a sprint weekend, a single practice session on Friday is followed by sprint qualifying that evening, before Saturday brings the sprint race and grand prix qualifying back to back. The main race then takes place on Sunday evening UK time.
In recognition of both the five-week absence and the mid-season regulation changes, the FIA has extended Friday’s practice session from the standard 60 minutes to 90, giving teams additional time to gather data and reacclimatise before competitive action begins.
At the top of the standings, Kimi Antonelli arrives in Florida as the championship leader after back-to-back victories in China and Japan, with Mercedes having won all three races so far in 2026. Whether the regulation tweaks, and a month’s worth of upgrades arriving on the grid, are enough to break that dominance is one of the key questions heading into the weekend.
2026 Miami GP F1 start times, streaming and TV schedule
All times are for UK viewers
Friday May 1
| Session | Session start time | Live TV coverage | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practice 1 | 5pm | From 5pm, Sky Sports F1 | |
| Sprint qualifying | 9.30pm | From 8.30pm, Sky Sports F1 | Saturday 1.05am, Channel 4 |
Saturday May 2
| Session | Session start time | Live TV coverage | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sprint | 5pm | From 4pm, Sky Sports F1 | Sunday, 12.30am Channel 4 |
| Qualifying | 9pm | From 9pm, Sky Sports F1 | Sunday, 12.30am Channel 4 |
Sunday May 3
| Session | Race start time | Live TV coverage | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miami Grand Prix | 9pm | From 8pm, Sky Sports F1 | Monday, 1.40am Channel 4 |
How to watch F1
Streaming and TV broadcast details
The 2026 Miami Grand Prix is a sprint weekend, meaning there is one practice session on Friday before competitive action gets underway with sprint qualifying later that evening.
Live TV
Sky customers can watch every session live on Sky Sports F1, from practice 1 on Friday afternoon through to the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday May 3 at 9pm BST. All sessions are also available via the Sky Sports app, where subscribers can choose to go onboard with any driver throughout the weekend.
Live stream
NOW offers contract-free access to all Sky Sports channels, with the choice of a Day or Month Membership – and no commitment required. Live timing for every session is also available through the official F1 app.
Highlights
Channel 4 will broadcast highlights of the sprint weekend across Saturday and Sunday, covering sprint qualifying, the sprint race, qualifying and the grand prix itself – each airing shortly after the conclusion of the relevant session.
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