2026 Miami Grand Prix Preview

(Image credit: @F1)

Guide to the 2026 Miami Grand Prix as F1 returns from their unplanned spring break with a trip Stateside.

With teams having had time off since the Japanese GP on 29 March due to the cancellations of Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix caused by the Middle-East conflict, F1 arrives in Miami with fresh rule tweaks set to be put into practice across the weekend.

FIA have also announced that the sole practice session of the sprint weekend has been extended to allow teams time to get to grips with the rule tweaks, in what is Cadillac’s first home race since their arrival on the grid earlier this year.

Haas will also look to impress on their home soil whilst higher up the order, Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell continue their tussle for the title just ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, as the Scuderia look to spark life into their title challenge.

Now, here is a guide to everything that you need to know about 2026 Miami Grand Prix.

 

Track Guide

Circuit: Miami International Autodrome

Laps: 57

Race Distance: 308.326km

Tyre Compounds: C3, C4 & C5

 

Schedule

Date Session Time (BST)
Friday 1 May Practice 5:00pm
Friday 1 May Sprint Qualifying 9:30pm
Saturday 2 May Sprint Race 5:00pm
Saturday 2 May Qualifying 9:00pm
Sunday 3 May Race 9:00pm

 

Five Key Pointers

  • With F1 having had an unplanned month off, it is no surprise that many teams are set to bring upgrades in hope of shaking up the pecking order, whilst they will also have to adapt to the new FIA rule tweaks within a single extended practice session.
  • Despite Pirelli bring a softer tyre selection to Miami than in 2024, teams expect the main race to be a one-stopper if dry unless there is a well-timed safety car which allows opportunity to make a second stop.
  • Pole position doesn’t seem to be the best starting position at this circuit with the GP pole-sitters in four previous visits having failed to go on to take victory.
  • As one of F1’s more technical circuits with a variety of corners and straights, a medium-level downforce is required around the Miami International Autodrome.
  • With heavy rain and potential thunderstorms forecast for the main race on Sunday, drivers could face tricky conditions and red flags if stewards adopt the strict US standards on such forecasts.

Last Time Out

2024 race winner, Lando Norris triumphed in a wet sprint race in 2025 but the Brit finished runner-up to his McLaren teammate – Oscar Piastri in the Grand Prix, as the Papaya cruised to a dominant one-two finish.

 

2026 Season Recap

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