By AutodromeF1 Editorial Team
London. United Kingdom – April 24 2026
Why the Extension?, 2026 Regulation Changes, New Friday Schedule
FIA F1 Extends Miami GP 2026 FP1 to 90 Minutes for Sprint Weekend in a key schedule change for Formula 1. The FIA confirmed on April 24 that first practice for the 2026 Miami Grand Prix will run for 90 minutes on Friday, May 1, from 12:00 to 13:30 local time. The extended FP1 session comes ahead of Sprint Qualifying later that day and gives teams extra track time under F1’s new 2026 regulations. See the updated Miami GP weekend timetable below.
In a significant adjustment to the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship calendar, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has officially announced an extension for the opening practice session of the upcoming Miami Grand Prix. Free Practice 1 (FP1), originally scheduled for the standard 60-minute duration, has been increased to 90 minutes, providing teams with crucial additional track time ahead of the season’s second Sprint event.
The session is now confirmed to take place from 12:00 to 13:30 local time on Friday, May 1, 2026. This logistical shift will see all track activities scheduled prior to FP1 moved forward by 30 minutes to ensure a seamless integration of the extended window into the weekend’s itinerary.
*Strategic Rationale: The Five-Week Hiatus“
The decision to grant teams an extra 30 minutes of running at the Miami International Autodrome is rooted in the unique circumstances surrounding the 2026 season’s early trajectory. Following the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29—where Mercedes sensation Kimi Antonelli secured a historic victory to lead the Drivers’ Championship—the sport entered an unexpected five-week competitive void.
This hiatus was exacerbated by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, which were originally slated for April. As the paddock prepares to descend upon Florida, the FIA acknowledged that the lengthy gap necessitated a more robust re-entry period for both drivers and technical staff.
“This decision has been taken in recognition of the gap since the last Grand Prix, the recently announced regulatory and technical adjustments, and the fact that as the Miami Grand Prix operates under the Sprint format, practice time is naturally limited,” the FIA stated in an official release.
Technical Evolution: Implementing New 2026 Tweaks“
Beyond the scheduling gap, the primary catalyst for the extension is a suite of technical and regulatory refinements agreed upon by all stakeholders on April 20. As the 2026 generation of cars features a near 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine and the hybrid electric system, the opening rounds in Australia, China, and Japan provided vital data that highlighted the need for immediate adjustments.
The 90-minute FP1 will serve as a high-stakes laboratory for teams to calibrate their cars to several key changes:
Energy Management and “Superclipping”
One of the most significant hurdles in the new era has been the requirement for drivers to recuperate massive amounts of energy per lap. To address this, the FIA has modified the energy management parameters:
- Recharge Limits:
The maximum permitted energy recharge per lap has been reduced from 8MJ to 7MJ to decrease excessive harvesting. - Peak Power:
The “superclip” peak power—the energy recuperated while the driver is on the throttle—has been increased from 250 kW to 350 kW.
- Duration: These changes aim to limit the time spent in “superclip” mode to between two and four seconds per lap, reducing the driver’s workload and encouraging more consistent flat-out driving.
Overtaking and Boost Logistics
In race conditions, the maximum power available through the “Boost” system is now capped at +150 kW (or the car’s current power level if higher). This is designed to prevent dangerous performance differentials between cars during overtaking maneuvers. Additionally, the MGU-K deployment has been refined to provide full 350 kW power in key acceleration zones but will be restricted to 250 kW in other sectors to preserve battery life and maintain competitive balance.
The Sprint Format Pressure
The Miami Grand Prix is one of six venues in 2026 utilizing the Sprint format, alongside China, Canada, Great Britain, the Netherlands, and Singapore. Under this structure, Friday afternoon moves directly into Sprint Qualifying, followed by the Sprint Race on Saturday morning.
By extending the Friday morning FP1 session, the FIA is providing a vital safety net. Without it, teams would have had only 60 minutes to validate the significant technical updates before their car specifications were locked in under Parc Fermé conditions. For teams like Red Bull Racing and Ferrari, who are currently chasing the pace-setting Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, these extra 30 minutes could prove decisive in the championship battle.
Adjusted Friday Schedule
Championship Stakes: The Antonelli Factor
The extension comes at a time when the 2026 standings are reflecting a generational shift. Kimi Antonelli, having won in both China and Japan, currently leads the championship. His ability to adapt to the 2026 regulations faster than veterans like Lewis Hamilton (now at Ferrari) and Max Verstappen has been the narrative of the season.
With Mercedes currently leading the Constructors’ standings, rivals are expected to bring substantial upgrade packages to Miami. The 90-minute window provides the first opportunity to see if the regulatory tweaks will assist Red Bull in mitigating the battery harvesting issues that plagued Verstappen’s RB22 in the opening rounds.
Conclusion
The move to a 90-minute FP1 in Miami underscores the FIA’s commitment to technical agility and safety as Formula 1 navigates the complexities of its most ambitious regulatory overhaul in decades. For the fans, it means an extra half-hour of action as the world’s most advanced machinery tackles the 5.41km Miami International Autodrome.
As the paddock arrives in Florida for the May 1-3 event, all eyes will be on the telemetry screens to see how the grid handles a revamped power delivery system that promises to bring “flat-out” racing back to the forefront of the sport.
