Sprint Weekend · May 1-3

F1 Miami Grand Prix 2026 Schedule & Session Times

Full race weekend timetable for the Miami Grand Prix 2026. All times shown in your local timezone — select a different timezone below to convert. This is a sprint weekend with Sprint Qualifying on Friday and Sprint Race on Saturday.

Next Session Countdown

Race weekend complete

Session Times in Your Timezone

Session Times

Friday · May 1

Free Practice 1
13:30 EDT17:30
Sprint Qualifying
17:30 EDT21:30

Saturday · May 2

Sprint Race
12:00 EDT16:00
Qualifying
16:00 EDT20:00

Sunday · May 3

Grand Prix
15:55 EDT19:55

Race times are approximate. Timezone offsets may vary due to daylight saving time.

F1 Miami Grand Prix 2026 Qualifying — Time, Format & What to Know

Qualifying: Saturday, May 2 at 16:00 EDT, UTC−4

F1 qualifying uses a three-part knockout format to set the grid for the Grand Prix:

  • Q1 (18 minutes) — All 20 drivers. The slowest 5 are eliminated and start P16–P20.
  • Q2 (15 minutes) — 15 remaining drivers. The slowest 5 are eliminated (P11–P15).
  • Q3 (12 minutes) — The top 10 shoot for pole position. Each driver gets two flying lap attempts.

The entire qualifying session lasts approximately one hour including breaks between segments. The Grand Prix starts Sunday, May 3 at 15:55 EDT, UTC−4.

F1 Miami Grand Prix 2026 Sprint — Qualifying & Race

Sprint Qualifying: Friday, May 1 at 17:30 EDT, UTC−4

Sprint Race: Saturday, May 2 at 12:00 EDT, UTC−4

Sprint weekends replace Friday's second practice with Sprint Qualifying (also called Sprint Shootout). The format mirrors standard qualifying (SQ1/SQ2/SQ3) but with shorter sessions — 12, 10, and 8 minutes respectively.

The Sprint Race runs on Saturday over approximately 100 km (about one-third of a full race distance, typically 17–24 laps). The top 8 finishers score points (8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1). No mandatory pit stops required.

Full Weekend Schedule (EDT, UTC−4)

Friday

  • Free Practice 1
  • Sprint Qualifying

Saturday

  • Sprint Race
  • Qualifying

Sunday

  • Grand Prix

Your Race Day — What to Know Beyond the Times

Session times tell you when. This tells you what actually matters for your day at the circuit.

Friday

Gates 11:30 AM

Arrive by 12:00 PM

  • —FP1 at 1:30 PM, Sprint Qualifying at 5:30 PM. The 4-hour gap between sessions is your chance to walk the entire campus without the Saturday crowds.
  • —Figure out where food vendors are, test how long it takes from the gate to your grandstand, and find the shaded rest areas. Friday reconnaissance saves you time all weekend.
  • —Bring a cooling towel and SPF 50. Florida sun in May is relentless — surface temperatures on exposed grandstands can exceed 50°C.

Saturday

Gates 10:00 AM

Arrive by 10:30 AM

  • —Sprint Race at noon, then a 3.5-hour gap before Qualifying at 4:00 PM. This gap is the best window to explore the west campus, where there's more shade and shorter food lines.
  • —Eat lunch between 1:00-2:00 PM when food queues are shortest. They peak again at 3:45 PM as people grab food before qualifying.
  • —The gap between Sprint finishing (~12:30 PM) and Qualifying is the quietest the campus gets all weekend. Use it to reposition if you want a different viewing spot.

Sunday

Gates 10:30 AM

Arrive by 11:00 AM

  • —Grand Prix at 3:55 PM. Arrive early — the pre-race atmosphere with driver introductions and flyovers is part of the experience.
  • —Plan your exit before the race starts. Post-race ride-share surge pricing hits 3-5x. There is no public transit to Hard Rock Stadium — if you haven't arranged transport, you're waiting.
  • —The post-race exit takes 2-3 hours without a plan. Consider pre-booking a shuttle, arranging pickup at a nearby landmark, or waiting 60-90 minutes for surge pricing to drop.

Weather & Heat

  • —Florida afternoon thunderstorms are common in May. Sessions can be delayed 30-60 minutes. FIA will red-flag a session if conditions are dangerous — bring a light poncho.
  • —30°C+ air temperature with much hotter in direct sun. Hydration and sun protection are non-negotiable. Covered grandstand sections are worth the premium if available.
  • —Bring a refillable water bottle — there are free water stations around the circuit. You'll drink far more than you expect.
Transport & arrival detailsFirst-Timer Guide

Schedule FAQ

Related Guides

Miami Grand Prix HubGetting ThereFirst-Timer GuideF1 2026 Calendar

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