Formula 1 is back after an enforced five-week break with the Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome, from 1-3 May. Round four in the United States is also the second sprint event of the now 22-race season.
Miami Grand Prix Schedule (UK Times)
First practice this weekend will be extended to 90 minutes. This is to give teams and drivers extra track time following the break, and to adjust to the rules changes that are being implemented from this weekend.
- First practice: 17:00-18:30
- Sprint qualifying: 21:30-22:14
- Sprint: 17:00-18:00
- Qualifying: 21:00-22:00
- Race: 21:00 (build-up from 20:00)
Commentary of the race will be available across BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.
Piastri’s Previous Miami Success
McLaren’s Oscar Piastri won last year’s Miami Grand Prix after his team-mate Lando Norris finished first in the sprint.
Antonelli Leads the Championship
Teenager Kimi Antonelli is the youngest driver in F1 history to lead the drivers’ championship following his victory in Japan last month. The 19-year-old Italian is clear of Mercedes team-mate George Russell in the title race by nine points. Antonelli shared the podium at Suzuka with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Weather Forecast for Race Day
The forecast says there could be some rain on race day in Miami. Temperatures across the three days of racing should be between 29C and 34C, with Friday’s sprint qualifying and Saturday’s 19-lap sprint event and main qualifying all set for sunny conditions. Sunday’s race could feature thundery showers and a gentle breeze.
Changes to Sprint Qualifying
Sprint qualifying has three sessions, where now the six slowest cars are eliminated from the first two instead of five. These sessions, known as SQ1, SQ2 and SQ3, last 12, 10 and eight minutes respectively. This makes up the grid.
Make sure to listen to every episode of the Chequered Flag podcast. For the first time this year, the post-race show for every grand prix is available to watch on BBC iPlayer and YouTube.