Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026

The Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026 is the fifth edition of the race since its debut in 2022. It’s the fourth round of the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship, the 77th running of the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel, single-seater formula racing cars.
Subject Formula 1
Start Date May 3, 2026
End Date May 3, 2026
Status Coming Soon
Location Miami International Autodrome, Miami Gardens, USA
Prize Pool None
Participants 22 male drivers/11 teams
Type Outdoor
Tournament Champion
Format Points-based championship format
Organizer South Florida Motorsports (SFM)

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The main race will be held on Sunday, May 3, 2026, in the city of Miami Gardens (located in the Greater Miami area), Florida, USA. The full event weekend runs from May 1 to May 3, 2026.

The Miami Grand Prix is a cornerstone of Formula 1’s strategic expansion into the United States market. It’s a major economic driver, having generated over $1 billion in impact in its first three years. It blends world-class motorsport with high-profile celebrity culture, luxury entertainment, and a festival-like atmosphere.

The race is organized by South Florida Motorsports (SFM), led by Managing Partner Stephen Ross and President Tyler Epp.

Venue, Competitors’ Structure, and Prize Pool Overview for the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026

The Miami International Autodrome serves as the venue for the race. It’s a 5.41km temporary open-air street-style circuit with 19 corners designed around the Hard Rock Stadium complex.

For the 2026 season, the grid expands to include 11 teams and 22 drivers. This expansion follows the debut of the American Cadillac team.

Formula 1 doesn’t award prize money for individual races; instead, a total season-long prize pot is distributed to teams based on their final position in the World Constructors’ Championship. For that, a total prize pool is estimated at approximately $1.6 billion for the 2026 season. The pot is roughly 50% of F1’s commercial rights revenue, wherein the first-placed team receives ~14% of the pool (approx. $140 million). Certain teams receive additional payments, most notably Ferrari, which receives a “historical bonus” for its long-standing participation in the sport. Drivers don’t receive direct prize money from F1. Their income consists of base salaries and performance bonuses paid by their respective teams.

Participating Teams & Drivers in the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026 and Qualification Overview

The following entry list reflects the confirmed lineups for the 2026 season: 
McLaren Mastercard F1 Team
Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team
Oracle Red Bull Racing
Scuderia Ferrari HP
Atlassian Williams F1 Team
Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team
Audi Revolut F1 Team
Cadillac Formula 1 Team
TGR Haas F1 Team
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls
BWT Alpine Formula One Team
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TeamDrivers
McLaren-MercedesLando Norris (1), Oscar Piastri (81)
MercedesGeorge Russell (63), Kimi Antonelli (12)
Red Bull Racing-Red Bull FordMax Verstappen (3), Isack Hadjar (6)
FerrariCharles Leclerc (16), Lewis Hamilton (44)
Atlassian Williams-MercedesAlexander Albon (23), Carlos Sainz Jr. (55)
Racing Bulls-Red Bull FordLiam Lawson (30), Arvid Lindblad (41)
Aston Martin Aramco-HondaFernando Alonso (14), Lance Stroll (18)
Haas-FerrariEsteban Ocon (31), Oliver Bearman (87)
AudiNico Hülkenberg (27), Gabriel Bortoleto (5)
Alpine-MercedesPierre Gasly (10), Franco Colapinto (43)
Cadillac-FerrariSergio Pérez (11), Valtteri Bottas (77)

“Qualification” in Formula 1 happens on two levels: season-long entry and race-specific grid positioning.

  1. Season entry (the “qualification” for the Championship):
  • Teams: Must be approved by the FIA and F1. Cadillac was officially approved as the 11th team in late 2025.
  • Drivers: Must hold a valid FIA Super Licence, earned by accumulating 40 points through success in junior categories like Formula 2 or IndyCar.
  1. Race weekend qualification (the “qualification” for Sunday’s race). Drivers must set a lap time within 107% of the fastest time in the first part of Saturday’s Qualifying (Q1) to be allowed to start the Grand Prix. For 2026, the knockout format has been adjusted for the 22-car field (we’ll tell you all about it in a bit).

Structure and Competition Format of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026

The Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026 follows a “Sprint” weekend structure, meaning the event is divided into three days of competitive stages rather than a single race. Unlike a tournament with brackets, F1 stages are chronological sessions that build toward the main event.

  • Friday, May 1: Free practice 1 & Sprint qualifying
    • One 60-minute practice session followed by a knockout qualifying session to determine the grid for Saturday’s Sprint.
  • Saturday, May 2: Sprint & Grand Prix qualifying
    • Sprint: A short, 100km race (approx. 30 mins) where the top 8 finishers score championship points.
    • Grand Prix qualifying: A three-part knockout session (Q1, Q2, Q3) to set the starting order for Sunday’s main race.
  • Sunday, May 3: The Grand Prix (the main race)
    • The full-distance race (57 laps), where the winner is crowned.

F1 is a timed and distance-based competition:

  • Format: The Grand Prix is a first-to-the-finish-line race. All 22 drivers start simultaneously on a grid. The first driver to complete the set number of laps (covering 305km+ total) is the winner.
  • Qualifying “elimination”: During the Saturday qualifying sessions, cars are “knocked out” based on their lap times:
    • Q1: The six slowest drivers are eliminated and take positions 17–22.
    • Q2: The next six slowest are eliminated for positions 11–16.
    • Q3: The final 10 drivers compete for pole position (first place on the grid).

There’s no mid-race elimination system. All drivers stay in the race unless they retire (due to a crash or mechanical failure) or are disqualified for a rules breach.

Favorites in the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026, Betting Options, and Where to Watch

For the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026, pre-season data and early championship rounds have established clear frontrunners, though the introduction of new technical regulations and the 11th team (Cadillac) adds significant unpredictability.

Following early-season performances, the Mercedes duo of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli is currently the top betting favorite for the Miami race, often priced around 6/4 on bookmakers with apps for Android.

Top contenders are George Russell (Mercedes), Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), Oscar Piastri (McLaren), and Lando Norris (McLaren). Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) are currently seen as high-value outsiders as their teams work to close the gap to Mercedes and McLaren.

The most popular F1 betting markets include race winner, podium finish (top 3), fastest qualifier (pole position), and top 10/points finish. Top-rated online bookmakers offering F1 markets include:

  • bet365: Widely considered the “gold standard” for F1 with extensive in-play markets and a global presence.
  • Betfred: Highly ranked for mobile experience and competitive odds.
  • Paddy Power: Known for offering some of the best prices and “value” for favorites.
  • FanDuel & DraftKings: Leading options for U.S.-based fans (age 18+ in select states like KY, NH, and WY).

Where to watch:

  • USA: The race is exclusive to Apple TV+ starting in 2026. Subscriptions are required for live sessions, though some races may also be shown in IMAX theaters.
  • UK & Ireland: Live coverage is provided by Sky Sports F1, with free-to-air highlights available on Channel 4.
  • Global: F1 TV Pro remains the primary streaming service in most territories (excluding the UK), offering live onboard cameras and expert data.
  • Free-to-air: Fans in Austria (ORF/Servus TV), Belgium (RTBF), and Luxembourg (RTL) can access free live streams of the race.

Pros and Cons of Favorites in the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix 2026

FavoriteProsCons
Kimi Antonelli“Momentum: Entering Miami with back-to-back wins in China and Japan.
Confidence: Now the youngest-ever championship leader.”
“Target on back: Faces new pressure as the hunted rather than the hunter.
Track experience: First time racing at the Miami International Autodrome.”
George Russell“Consistency: Has finished on the podium in every race so far in 2026.
Hunger: Determined to reclaim the lead he lost at Suzuka.”
“Reliability concerns: Experienced minor mechanical issues during qualifying in Japan.
Teammate battle: Must manage an increasingly intense rivalry with Antonelli.”
Oscar Piastri“Track specialist: Won the Miami Grand Prix in 2025 and currently holds the lap record.
Form: Finished P2 in Japan, showing McLaren has solved early-season gremlins.”
Qualifying: Often starts behind the Mercedes and Ferraris, making the race a difficult recovery mission.
Charles LeclercTire preservation: The Ferrari SF-26 is currently the kindest car on tires, vital for the high-temp Miami asphalt.Power unit: Ferrari’s 2026 engine is slightly behind Mercedes in straight-line speed on Miami’s long back straight.
With rookie Kimi Antonelli leading the championship heading into Miami, how do you see the Mercedes teammate rivalry playing out this weekend?
MILOS VASILJEVIC
He’s the mastermind behind our captivating content, leveraging his extensive journalism experience to craft compelling sports news and insightful betting predictions. His passion for the game and knack for storytelling ensure our readers are always engaged and informed, bringing a unique and expert perspective to every piece he writes.
Publication date : 17.04.2026
Last modified date: 17.04.2026

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the 2026 race different from previous Miami GPs?
Can I still watch the race on ESPN or ABC in the US?
Why are there a Sprint and a Grand Prix in the same weekend?