Why is FP1 90 minutes at the Miami GP? FIA rule change explained

An FIA flag edited on a backdrop of a neon blue Miami palm tree — Photo: © IMAGO

Miami Grand Prix

FIA confirm unusual Miami GP change after race cancellations

FIA rule change at Miami GP explained

Matthew Hobkinson Lead Editor

F1 Editor & Journalist

Thursday 30 April 2026 16:12

F1's return at the Miami Grand Prix will feature a major change after the FIA confirmed that FP1 has been extended to 90 minutes.

The sport is back in action this weekend following an enforced five-week break, with the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix both cancelled.

That has left teams and drivers without a race since the Japanese Grand Prix, making Miami a hugely important weekend as the 2026 season resumes.

Article continues under video

And with the weekend also taking place under the sprint format, the FIA have opted to give teams extra practice time before competitive sessions begin.

F1 HEADLINES: FIA make Miami GP change as race threatened by thunderstorms

Why is Miami GP FP1 90 minutes?

FP1 in Miami was originally scheduled to run for the usual 60 minutes.

However, the FIA have now confirmed that the only practice session of the weekend will instead last for 90 minutes.

The decision comes after consultation with stakeholders, with teams given more time to gather data following the long break between races.

It also comes after recent tweaks to the 2026 regulations, meaning the extended session will give teams a more useful window to understand their cars before sprint qualifying.

That is particularly important because sprint weekends leave very little margin for error.

Instead of the usual three practice sessions across Friday and Saturday, teams get just one before the serious business begins.