Miami Grand Prix: FIA Confirms Extended 90-Minute Opening Practice
Formula 1 teams will be granted extra time to get up to speed when the season resumes, with the FIA announcing a 90-minute Free Practice 1 session for the upcoming Miami Grand Prix.
Scheduled to take place between May 1 and 3, the opening session will now run from 12:00 to 13:30 local time. As a result of this 30-minute extension, any track action slated to happen before FP1 will be brought forwards by half an hour to accommodate the change.
The sport’s governing body released a statement clarifying the reasons behind the schedule tweak. The decision acknowledges the lengthy five-week gap since the previous race, newly introduced technical and regulatory adjustments and the inherently limited practice time caused by the intense Sprint format.
Beyond the extended practice window, the remainder of the Miami Grand Prix timetable will proceed exactly as originally planned. Friday’s on-track action will conclude with Sprint Qualifying at 16:30 local time. On Saturday, the grid will tackle the second Sprint race of the campaign at 12:00 before heading into standard Qualifying at 16:00. The main Grand Prix is then set to get underway at 16:00 on Sunday.
The event in Florida marks the fourth round of the current season. As the paddock prepares to return to action, Kimi Antonelli currently sits at the top of the Drivers’ Championship whilst Mercedes command the lead in the Teams’ standings.
