2026 Miami GP Sprint Qualifying Starts Today at 4:30 PM ET

Sprint qualifying for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix kicks off today at 16:30 ET (21:30 BST / 22:30 CET). The three‑segment knockout will trim the field from 20 cars to ten, setting the grid for Saturday’s sprint race.

Why it matters:

• Sprint points: The top three finishers in the sprint earn championship points, turning a good qualifying run into immediate title relevance.
• Strategic data: Teams test tyre wear and car set‑up on Miami’s tight street circuit under race‑like conditions, informing Sunday’s Grand Prix strategy.
• Fan boost: A Saturday sprint adds a high‑stakes, broadcast‑friendly showdown that drives viewership and ticket sales in a key U.S. market.

The details:

• Session timing: 16:30 ET / 21:30 BST / 22:30 CET, streamed live on all official F1 platforms.
• Format: SQ1 eliminates six cars, SQ2 eliminates another six, and SQ3 decides sprint pole among the final ten.
• Weekend schedule:
  • Fri 1 May: Free Practice 1 (18:00‑19:30) and Sprint Qualifying (16:30‑17:14).
  • Sat 2 May: Sprint Race (18:00‑19:00) followed by Grand Prix Qualifying (22:00‑23:00).
  • Sun 3 May: Grand Prix (22:00‑23:59).

What's next:

• Sprint race: Starts Saturday at 18:00 ET; the winner takes three points, second place two, and third place one.
• Grand Prix: Sunday’s full‑point race follows a traditional qualifying session. Early points from Miami could shape the 2026 title fight as teams adapt to the new technical regulations.