F1 drivers get extra practice time for Miami GP Sprint weekend after long break

Formula 1 returns from a five-week hiatus with a Sprint weekend in Miami, where drivers will have an extended 90-minute practice session on Friday to compensate for the long break. The extended session aims to help teams and drivers readjust before the compressed Sprint schedule, which sees just one practice before Sprint Qualifying on Friday night.

Why it matters:

The lengthy gap since the Japanese Grand Prix means teams have had significant time to develop upgrades, potentially shaking up a competitive order that has seen Mercedes win all three opening races. The extra practice time is crucial for teams to validate these new parts and for drivers to reacclimatize to the car under the unique pressure of a Sprint event, where setup mistakes are costly with limited track time.

The details:

• Championship Landscape: Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers' Championship by nine points from Mercedes teammate George Russell after wins in China and Japan, but Ferrari and McLaren arrive with upgrades hoping to close the gap.
• Track Characteristics: The Miami International Autodrome is a street circuit where walls punish mistakes, but its long straights into Turns 11 and 17 provide prime overtaking opportunities.
• Driver Storylines: All eyes are on Lando Norris at the scene of his maiden 2024 win, Oscar Piastri looking to convert strong pace into a win, and Max Verstappen—ninth in the standings—amid ongoing speculation about his F1 future.
• Weekend Format: The Sprint format condenses the action, with the sole extended practice on Friday followed immediately by Sprint Qualifying. The Grand Prix Qualifying and the Grand Prix itself follow on Saturday and Sunday.
• Weather Forecast: Conditions are expected to be consistently hot and dry throughout the weekend, with air temperatures around 28°C (82°F), simplifying the setup and strategy variables for teams.

What's next:

The extended practice session at 5pm UK time on Friday will be the first true indicator of whether any team has made a leap forward during the break. With all top teams bringing updates, the fight behind the still-dominant Mercedes could intensify, setting the stage for a competitive Sprint and Grand Prix where track position and a single clean lap in qualifying will be more valuable than ever.