F1 Miami GP 2026 sprint weekend: everything you need to know

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari SF-26, 2026 F1, tire

F1 Miami GP sprint preview: key info for the 2026 race weekend

Formula 1 Miami GP 2026, round 4. The championship heads to Miami, Florida, for another crucial battle. This weekend also marks the return of the Sprint Race format.

Finally back on track

At last, the action resumes. After more than a month of forced downtime, Formula 1 returns to racing as it travels to the United States and Miami for the fourth round of the 2026 season. The Florida event will host the Miami Grand Prix, the first of several races scheduled on American soil this year, featuring the Sprint Race format.

The Sprint format was also used at the Miami International Autodrome last year, following the same structure: a single Free Practice session, followed by Sprint Qualifying, the Sprint Race, traditional Qualifying for Sunday, and finally the Grand Prix itself.

The Formula 1 arriving in Miami this year is completely different compared to the one seen earlier in the season, due to new regulations and redesigned cars. During the enforced break—caused by the cancellation of two Grands Prix—the FIA revised parts of the technical regulations after widespread criticism following the opening three rounds, including concerns related to safety. As a result, Miami will effectively showcase a “new” version of Formula 1, incorporating the latest regulatory changes. What will happen? We are about to find out.

A new setting after the opening rounds

After races in Australia, China, and Japan, the championship now shifts to a completely different environment and circuit layout. As usual, the Miami Grand Prix will take place on the temporary street circuit built around the Hard Rock Stadium complex, home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team. The venue is located in the Miami Gardens area, north of central Miami and close to Fort Lauderdale.

The track made its debut in 2022 and quickly proved popular with fans and drivers alike. Many competitors have offered positive feedback about the layout, as well as the unique atmosphere that combines racing with entertainment, nightlife, and showbiz.

Pastel colours, palm trees and pure speed

Everything is ready for the fifth edition of the Miami Grand Prix, and after a month of relative calm, the chase for the championship leaders resumes: Mercedes and Andrea Kimi Antonelli.

Based on the opening races, Mercedes is clearly the car to beat. Its drivers, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, have both delivered outstanding performances, each claiming victories in the first three rounds, including dominant one-two finishes. The two teammates currently lead the Drivers’ Championship, with Antonelli sitting at the top, holding a slim nine-point advantage over the British driver. Following the last race, Russell did not seem entirely comfortable seeing the young Italian surpass him in the standings. The upcoming races promise intense internal battles between the two, much to the interest of team principal Toto Wolff.

The challengers are ready

Ferrari has been one of the positive surprises of the early season. The SF-26 has demonstrated the ability to challenge Mercedes, securing podium finishes even if a victory has not yet arrived—at least for now. The Maranello team comes into Miami after a month of intense work both at the factory and on track, including tyre tests for Pirelli and development running during a filming day at Monza.

Between simulator sessions and track testing, both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton have evaluated new components. Some of these upgrades have already been approved and are expected to be introduced in Miami, while others will follow in upcoming races. Now, attention turns to the race weekend, where a revised SF-26 will aim to deliver improved performance, speed, and competitiveness. Expectations are high for Ferrari throughout Miami and the entire month of May—and perhaps even beyond.

McLaren also returns with momentum following a strong performance in Japan. Last year in Miami, the Woking-based team was the standout performer, dominating the weekend and securing a victory and a one-two finish in Sunday’s race. This year, it remains to be seen whether McLaren can once again play a leading role and close the gap to its rivals. The signs seen at Suzuka were encouraging, and the team will look to build on that progress after the break.

Will the revised regulations finally satisfy Max Verstappen? The four-time world champion was highly critical of the 2026 rules in the early races, while also struggling with a difficult RB22. During the break, Red Bull worked extensively to improve the car and introduce upgrades, hoping for a positive step forward. Both Verstappen and Isack Hadjar have struggled to achieve satisfactory results so far. Miami, with its unique layout, could offer a fresh opportunity—especially given the Dutch driver’s past success at this venue.

Home race atmosphere

The Miami Grand Prix represents a home event for two American teams: Haas and the newcomer Cadillac Formula 1 Team.

Haas has enjoyed a strong start to the season, thanks in part to a competitive VF-26 powered by Ferrari engines. Although still not at the front, the team has positioned itself as a contender in the midfield, supported by drivers Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman, both of whom have shown solid form. Now comes their first home race of the season, in front of an American crowd.

Cadillac, making its debut in the 2026 season, will also compete at home for the first time. Compared to Haas, its car remains relatively unrefined, despite being powered by a Ferrari power unit. However, the team can rely on the experience of Valtteri Bottas and Sergio Perez. It will not be easy, but Miami will provide a valuable opportunity to assess their progress.

Williams also enjoys a “home race” of sorts, as the British team is owned by the American investment firm Dorilton Capital. The season has not started particularly well for the historic team, with technical and performance-related challenges. It remains to be seen whether the break has allowed them to address these issues and return in better shape.

Miami International Autodrome

The Miami International Autodrome is a temporary street circuit located in Miami Gardens, built around the Hard Rock Stadium complex.

The idea of hosting a Formula 1 race in Miami dates back to 2017. Formula 1 and Apex Circuit Design initially explored layouts in Downtown Miami before shifting focus to other areas. In October 2019, the official plan was launched to build the circuit in Miami Gardens.

The project was not immediately accepted and faced opposition, but on April 14, 2021, a vote approved its construction. While an initial debut in 2021 was considered, the event was postponed to 2022.

The circuit is built entirely within the private grounds of the Hard Rock Stadium, combining existing roads with newly constructed sections. It measures 5.412 km in length and features 19 corners—7 right-handers and 12 left-handers—along with three straights. The average speed is around 223 km/h, with top speeds reaching approximately 320 km/h.

The track is relatively flat, although some elevation changes exist. A notable variation can be found between Turns 13 and 16, where the circuit passes under overpasses and follows a section of the Florida Turnpike. The paddock, garages, and pit lane are located along the northern side of the stadium.

Since 2023, the paddock has been uniquely set up inside the Hard Rock Stadium itself, with teams operating from the field typically used by the Miami Dolphins.

The race distance is 57 laps, run in an anti-clockwise direction.

Pirelli tyre choices: C3, C4, C5

For this edition of the Miami Grand Prix, Pirelli has selected the three softest compounds in the 2026 range, the same choice as last year:

C3 P Zero White Hard
C4 P Zero Yellow Medium
C5 P Zero Red Soft

The Miami circuit, with its smooth asphalt resurfaced in 2023, features low roughness and gradually increases grip over the weekend as more rubber is laid down. Tyres are therefore not subjected to particularly high stress levels.

One interesting characteristic observed last year was how quickly the track dried. During the Sprint Race, drivers switched from intermediate tyres to slicks within 19 laps, despite heavy rain before the start. Weather conditions could once again play a role this year.

High temperatures are expected, making thermal degradation a key factor, especially during the race. However, historically, tyre wear has been manageable at Miami, allowing for longer stints and often a one-stop strategy.

Attention should also be paid to the possibility of Safety Car or Virtual Safety Car interventions, particularly given the nature of a street circuit where precision is essential to avoid incidents.

Weather forecast

The latest forecast for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix weekend suggests variable and potentially unpredictable conditions. Temperatures are expected to be high across all three days, with maximums reaching or exceeding 30°C.

Sunny conditions are forecast for most of the weekend, although rain remains a possibility—particularly on Sunday, when the Grand Prix takes place.

Teams will need to closely monitor weather developments, as sudden changes could significantly impact race strategy.