FIA shakes up Miami GP schedule with extended practice session

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The FIA has confirmed a significant schedule change ahead of the upcoming Miami Grand Prix, announcing that the opening practice session will be extended as the championship returns from its spring break.

Free Practice 1, scheduled for Friday of race weekend, will now run for 90 minutes instead of the usual one hour.

The session is set to take place from 12:00 to 13:30 local time, with all preceding track activities also brought forward by 30 minutes to accommodate the change.

The governing body outlined its reasoning in an official statement, pointing to several factors influencing the move:

“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 which reduces the amount of practice time available over the course of the weekend.”

The extension is expected to give teams and drivers additional track time to reacclimatise following a five-week break in the calendar, while also allowing them to adapt to recent changes in regulations.

Sprint weekend format remains unchanged

Despite the adjustment to Free Practice 1, the remainder of the weekend schedule at the Miami International Autodrome will proceed as planned. Sprint Qualifying is set for 16:30 local time on Friday, followed by the second Sprint race of the season at 12:00 on Saturday.

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Qualifying for Sunday’s Grand Prix will take place later that day at 16:00, with the race itself scheduled to begin at 16:00 on Sunday.

Heading into next week’s reprise, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship standings, while the Brackley squad sits at the top of the teams’ standings.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.