Above: Audi’s Nico Hulkenberg speeds through the seventh turn during Qualifying round for Sunday’s Grand Prix race.

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’s what else to expect.

The Grid for the Grand Prix Has Been Finalized

The 11 teams that make up Formula 1’s 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’s Grand Prix race, which airs at 1 p.m. on Apple TV. Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli will start in pole position, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen will start in 2nd position, and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc will start in 3rd position.

It’s the First Race After Midseason Rule Changes

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’ Kimi Antonelli and George Russell during Saturday’s Sprint) that are a hallmark of F1 racing.

There Are Two New Teams This Year

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’s first Grand Prix in the new role and on Saturday Audi driver Nico Hulkenberg qualified to start in a respectable 11th position.

Formula 1’s Media Strategy Has Paid Off

Eight seasons of Netflix’s Formula 1: Drive to Survive, the reality show that chronicles behind-the-scenes drama in the teams and between the drivers, plus last year’s Brad Pitt–starring 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’s most famous star) were trailed by herds of fans asking for autographs.

Miami Hearts F1

This is Miami’s 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’s popularity 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.

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