The Miami Grand Prix weekend will open with a longer Free Practice 1 session, after the FIA approved a one‑off extension from the usual 60 minutes to 90 minutes.
The change comes as Formula One returns from a five‑week gap in the calendar and prepares to run under the Sprint format, which already limits practice time.
According to the FIA, FP1 will now take place from 12:00 to 13:30 local time, with all track activities scheduled before FP1 moved forward by 30 minutes to accommodate the extension.
Why has the session been extended
In its official statement, the FIA explained the reasoning behind the decision: “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 governing body highlighted three key factors: the unusually long break since the previous race at Suzuka, recent updates to the technical and sporting regulations, including changes to energy management, start procedures and wet‑weather protocols. Furthermore, the Sprint weekend format also played a role in the decision, as it restricts teams to a single practice session before parc fermé rules apply.
