The sprint race grid is decided tonight in Miami. Here is the exact schedule and everything you need to know about this key session.
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Even before the start of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix sprint race, drivers must go through a decisive session: the sprint qualifying. This session, now essential in sprint-format weekends, determines the starting order for the short race.
Unlike the traditional Saturday qualifying, this format is faster and more intense. Drivers have less time to set a fast lap, which increases pressure and reduces the margin for error. Every attempt counts, and the slightest mistake can cost several positions on the grid.
A three-phase knockout format
Sprint qualifying is based on a structure similar to traditional qualifying, with three successive segments. In the first phase (SQ1), the six lowest-performing drivers are eliminated. The same scenario repeats in SQ2, where six more competitors leave the session.
The remaining ten drivers then advance to the final phase, SQ3, where the pole position for the sprint race is decided. It is in this last run that gaps tighten the most, with performances often separated by a few thousandths of a second.
This format favors spectacle, with shorter sessions and quick sequences. Teams must therefore optimize their strategy perfectly, especially in tire management and track traffic.
The Sprint Qualifying schedule in Miami
To not miss anything from this session, it is essential to know the exact schedule. The 2026 Miami Grand Prix sprint qualifying is scheduled for 4:30 PM local time, which is 10:30 PM French time.
With limited running times and an uncertain hierarchy early in the season, this session could hold surprises. Between new regulations, developments brought by teams, and the specific conditions of the Miami circuit, all the ingredients are in place for unpredictable sprint qualifying.
One thing is certain: every driver will have to be immediately on pace to hope to secure an advantageous place on the grid.
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