F1 Miami Grand Prix 2026: Race Start Time Moved Up, How to Watch, and Full Weekend Recap

Formula 1 is back at the Miami International Autodrome for Round 4 of the 2026 season — and Sunday's Miami Grand Prix has already made headlines before a single lap of the main race is complete. A dramatic weather threat forced officials to rearrange the entire race day schedule, and the on-track action heading into Sunday has delivered plenty of storylines.

Miami Grand Prix 2026 Start Time Changed Due to Weather

The Miami Grand Prix start time was moved three hours earlier than originally planned due to a weather forecast predicting heavy rainstorms later in the afternoon. The race was originally scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. local time but will now start at 1:00 p.m. ET at the Miami International Autodrome.

The FIA, Formula 1, and the Miami Grand Prix promoter released a joint statement confirming the change was taken to ensure the least amount of disruption to the race, and to prioritize the safety of drivers, fans, teams, and staff. Florida law requires suspension of outdoor sporting events at the sound of thunder, with a mandatory 30-minute wait after the most recent lightning strike before action can resume.

How to Watch the F1 Miami Grand Prix on Apple TV

F1 races used to air on ESPN and ESPN2 in the U.S., but Apple TV has signed an exclusive five-year deal to become the U.S. broadcaster of Formula 1 starting this season. That means the Miami Grand Prix and every other race of the 2026 F1 season will stream live on Apple TV.

F1 TV Premium subscribers can also stream every F1 race live, plus all practice sessions, qualifying, and pre-race shows, and can activate a free subscription using Apple TV credentials linked to an existing F1 account. The Miami Grand Prix official site confirms the race airs on Apple TV and F1 TV Pro — with no traditional cable option available for U.S. viewers.

F1 Miami Grand Prix Qualifying: Kimi Antonelli on Pole

Kimi Antonelli secured his third consecutive pole position for the Miami Grand Prix, setting a lap of 1m 27.798s to edge out Red Bull's Max Verstappen by just over a tenth of a second. Charles Leclerc claimed third for Ferrari, with Lando Norris fourth for McLaren.

Antonelli's hat-trick of poles in 2026 sees him join Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher as one of very few drivers to score their first three F1 poles in a row. The 18-year-old Italian has been the dominant force in qualifying all season for Mercedes.

F1 Miami Sprint Race Results: Norris Wins for McLaren

Lando Norris claimed victory in Saturday's Sprint at the Miami Grand Prix, crossing the line ahead of McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Polesitter Norris converted his Sprint pole advantage into the lead at Turn 1 and never looked back across the 19-lap encounter.

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli dropped from second to fourth off the line and was later demoted to sixth after the chequered flag due to a track limits violation, dealing a blow to his points lead heading into Sunday's main event.

Miami Grand Prix 2026 Full Weekend Schedule (ET)

The full F1 Miami 2026 weekend schedule, all times in ET:

Formula 1 Miami 2026 Championship Context

The Miami Grand Prix marks F1's return following a five-week gap, with no races held in April due to the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. Sunday's race is Round 4 of the 2026 Formula 1 season.

Verstappen, who starts on the front row for the first time this season, said wet conditions with the new 2026 cars will be a unique challenge for everyone. "It's quite a handful. It's not going to be easy," said the Red Bull driver, noting that very few drivers have had any experience in the wet with the all-new machinery.