By Joe Murphy
The FIA has confirmed that Free Practice 1 for the 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix will be extended from 60 minutes to 90 minutes. The session will now run from 12:00 to 13:30 local time on Friday 1 May, with all track sessions scheduled before FP1 moving forward by 30 minutes to accommodate the change.
The decision follows consultation with stakeholders and is based on three factors. First, there will have been a five-week gap since the Japanese Grand Prix, after the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia rounds earlier this year. Second, Miami will be the first event to run under several refined 2026 technical and sporting regulations. Tweaks announced in April include adjustments to the maximum recharge allowed over a lap, superclip peak power in qualifying, reduced maximum boost power during races, and changes to car behaviour in the event of a poor start. Third, the Miami Grand Prix operates under the Sprint format, which means FP2 and FP3 do not run, leaving teams with only one practice session before Sprint Qualifying on Friday afternoon.
The rest of the weekend schedule remains unchanged. Sprint Qualifying will take place at 16:30 on Friday, the Sprint at 12:00 on Saturday, Qualifying at 16:00 on Saturday, and the Grand Prix at 16:00 on Sunday 3 May. For UK viewers, FP1 begins at 17:00 BST and the race starts at 21:00 BST on Sunday.
At the time of writing, teams and drivers have not released formal statements on the session extension. The FIA noted the decision was agreed upon following consultation with all stakeholders, suggesting broad support across the grid. The additional 30 minutes is expected to help teams validate upgrades and adapt to the revised 2026 regulations after five weeks away from the track.
The 2026 Miami Grand Prix takes place 1st to the 3rd of May at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens and is round four of the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship.
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