Your Complete Guide to Watching the Miami Grand Prix on BBC

Your Complete Guide to Watching the Miami Grand Prix on BBC

Formula 1 returns from its five-week hiatus with the Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome, scheduled for 1-3 May. This fourth round of the season in the United States doubles as the second sprint event of the expanded 22-race calendar.

Championship Leader Antonelli Eyes Miami Success

Teenager Kimi Antonelli has made history as the youngest driver ever to lead the F1 drivers' championship following his triumph in Japan last month. The 19-year-old Italian, who shared the podium at Suzuka alongside McLaren's Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, holds a commanding nine-point advantage over his Mercedes team-mate George Russell in the title battle.

Saturday's sprint will commence at 17:00 BST, while Sunday's 57-lap grand prix gets underway at 21:00 BST.

Extended First Practice Session

First practice this weekend has been extended to 90 minutes to provide teams and drivers with additional track time following the extended break and to allow for adjustment to newly implemented rules changes.

How to Follow the Action on BBC

Comprehensive coverage of all sessions will be broadcast on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app. For the first time this season, post-race shows for every grand prix are now available on BBC iPlayer and YouTube. You can also access coverage through most smart speakers by requesting "play BBC Radio 5 Live" or "play BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra."

Don't miss every episode of the Chequered Flag podcast for in-depth analysis and commentary.

Session Times (BST)

Friday, 1 May

• First practice: 17:30-19:00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)
• Sprint qualifying: 21:30-22:14 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Saturday, 2 May

• Sprint: 17:00-18:00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)
• Qualifying: 21:00-22:00 (BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Sunday, 3 May

• Race: 21:00 (build-up from 20:00 on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and smart speakers)

Miami Weather Outlook

Current forecasts indicate the possibility of light rain on race day, with temperatures hovering between 31-32°C throughout the weekend. Friday's sprint and qualifying session are expected to benefit from sunny conditions, while Sunday's race, which starts at 4pm local time, could encounter scattered showers accompanied by a light breeze.

Understanding the Sprint Format

The 2026 sprint format features a minor adjustment due to Cadillac's entry as the grid's 11th team. Sprint qualifying comprises three sessions where six of the slowest cars are now eliminated in the first two rounds, down from five previously. These segments—designated SQ1, SQ2, and SQ3—run for 12, 10, and eight minutes respectively, establishing the starting order for the 100km sprint race.

The top eight finishers in the sprint accumulate points toward the drivers' championship: eight points for first place down to one point for eighth. George Russell claimed victory at the opening sprint in China in March, defeating Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton.

Following Miami, additional sprint events are scheduled for Canada, Silverstone, Zandvoort, and Singapore throughout the season.