FIA Extends Miami GP Free Practice to 90 Minutes Ahead of Sprint Weekend
The FIA has lengthened Miami’s sole free‑practice to 90 minutes and moved earlier track times 30 minutes forward, giving teams data before the Sprint‑format race and aligning the weekend with 2026 regulation changes.
The FIA has extended Miami’s sole free‑practice session to 90 minutes and moved all earlier track times 30 minutes forward. The change, agreed with teams, aims to give drivers extra data before the Sprint‑format race and to accommodate the new 2026 technical rules.
Why it matters:
- An extra 30 minutes of FP1 gives teams vital data before the Sprint, where practice time is limited.
- The earlier start aligns the weekend with the upcoming 2026 rule changes, letting crews test compliance sooner.
- A longer Friday makes the Sprint weekend more appealing for fans and broadcasters.
The details:
- FP1 runs 12:00‑13:30 local time, up from a 60‑minute slot.
- All pre‑FP1 activities shift 30 minutes earlier; Friday becomes the sole practice day, Saturday hosts Sprint qualifying and the Sprint race, and Sunday hosts the Grand Prix.
- FIA said the move reflects the gap since the last race, the rollout of 2026 regulations, and the limited practice inherent to Sprint formats.
What's next:
- Teams will use the added time to fine‑tune aero and power‑unit settings under the 2026 rule set.
- Broadcasters will adjust schedules, potentially shifting global viewership windows.
- If successful, the FIA may repeat the extension at other Sprint weekends.
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