{"id":256200,"date":"2026-05-03T04:27:10","date_gmt":"2026-05-03T04:27:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/256200\/"},"modified":"2026-05-03T04:27:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-03T04:27:10","slug":"5-things-to-know-about-the-miami-formula-1-grand-prix-race-including-its-new-start-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/256200\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Things to Know About the Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix Race \u2014Including its New Start Time"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Above: Audi\u2019s Nico Hulkenberg speeds through the seventh turn during Qualifying round for Sunday\u2019s Grand Prix race.<\/p>\n

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The 2026 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix weekend has been full of surprises, including a last-minute change to the start time. Because of heavy rain forecasted for Sunday afternoon, the start time for the race has been moved up from 4 p.m. to 1 p.m. Here\u2019s what else to expect.<\/p>\n

The Grid for the Grand Prix Has Been Finalized<\/p>\n

The 11 teams that make up Formula 1\u2019s 2026 lineup spent two days battling in practice and Sprint races as well as competing in the Grand Prix Qualifying round. The grid (who starts in what position) is set for Sunday\u2019s Grand Prix race, which airs at 1 p.m. on Apple TV.<\/a> Mercedes\u2019 Kimi Antonelli<\/a> will start in pole position, Red Bull\u2019s Max Verstappen will start in 2nd position, and Ferrari\u2019s Charles Leclerc will start in 3rd position.<\/p>\n

\"F1<\/p>\n

Mercedes\u2019 Kimi Antonelli.Mario Renzi – Formula 1 – Getty Images<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the First Race After Midseason Rule Changes<\/p>\n

This is the first Grand Prix race weekend after Formula 1 made midseason changes to its rules to address driver and team complaints about how their new hybrid power systems (50 percent electric and 50 percent internal combustion) were regulated. Quick take: The racing seems to have improved after the new tweaks, with more neck-and-neck battles (including a nail-biter between Mercedes\u2019 Kimi Antonelli and George Russell during Saturday\u2019s Sprint) that are a hallmark of F1 racing.<\/p>\n

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There Are Two New Teams This Year<\/p>\n

Cadillac started from scratch and created a whole new team this year while Audi purchased the former Sauber team and has been busy making it its own. Cadillac is using a Ferrari engine for its debut season while Audi is using one it designed and built itself. Late last month, Audi announced that Allan McNish, an Audi motorsports veteran and multiple Le Mans 24 Hour Race winner, will be its new racing director. Miami is McNish\u2019s first Grand Prix in the new role and on Saturday Audi driver Nico Hulkenberg qualified to start in a respectable 11th position.<\/p>\n

Formula 1\u2019s Media Strategy Has Paid Off<\/p>\n

Eight seasons of Netflix\u2019s Formula 1: Drive to Survive<\/a>, the reality show that chronicles behind-the-scenes drama in the teams and between the drivers, plus last year\u2019s Brad Pitt\u2013starring F1 film have turned the F1 drivers and racing directors into full-blown celebrities in the U.S. On Friday and Saturday, even drivers who were not Lewis Hamilton (arguably F1\u2019s most famous star) were trailed by herds of fans asking for autographs.<\/p>\n

\"F1<\/p>\n

Jimmy Fallon with Red Bull\u2019s Max Verstappen.NurPhoto – Getty Images<\/p>\n

Miami Hearts F1<\/p>\n

This is Miami\u2019s fifth year hosting Formula 1 and if the miles of heavy traffic going to the Miami International Autodrome, where the race is held, is any indication, the sport\u2019s popularity<\/a> in the city (and in the U.S. in general) is growing exponentially. Notable fans at the first couple of days’ events included Serena Williams, Colin Farrell, Jimmy Fallon, and Michelle Obama. Expect many others to appear trackside on Sunday.<\/p>\n

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