As in China two weeks ago, the Miami Grand Prix, sixth round of the world championship, will be the scene of a sprint race on Saturday, to the delight of Formula 1 fans.
Two races for the price of one, this is what Formula 1 has been offering since 2021 and the introduction of so-called “Sprint” races – meaning over a reduced distance – on the world championship calendar. This season, 6 of the 24 Grand Prix on the program will be entitled to this new format on Saturday, created by the International Federation to spice up racing weekends. After China a fortnight ago, and Miami this weekend, Austria (June 30), Austin in the United States (October 20), Brazil (November 3) and Qatar (December 1) will see the single-seaters compete in qualifying on Friday after a single free practice session, qualifying which determines the starting grid for the Sprint scheduled for Saturday. Since this year, qualifying for the Grand Prix now takes place a few hours after the Sprint race and no other session separates them from the classic race traditionally held on Sunday.
In Shanghai, Max Verstappen scored a double victory by winning the two races separated by 24 hours. The first, equivalent to a third of a Grand Prix, lasting around 30 minutes, obviously offers fewer points than a normal race. The first eight drivers are rewarded – compared to 10 on Sunday – with respectively 8 points, 7 points, 6 points…and up to 1 point for the last member of the Top 8 (as a reminder, the winner of the Grand Prix pockets 25 points) . In Florida, the Dutchman is so far the only one to have registered his name on the list of winners since he won the first two editions run in 2022 and 2023.
However, this will be the first time that the International Autodrome, the 5.41 kilometer ephemeral circuit built in the parking lot of Hard Rock Stadium – the home of the Miami Dolphins American football team – will be the scene of a Sprint race . The opportunity for the Florida public to be even more amazed, and for the 20 drivers to have twice the chance to shine. Like Max Verstappen, already winner of four of the first five Grands Prix of the season, and already well on his way to winning a fourth world crown at the end of the year.
After several Grands Prix contested at early morning times in France (Australia, Japan, China), the sixth round of the world championship will allow French viewers to watch Formula 1 in the evening. If the first laps of the single-seaters are scheduled from 6:30 p.m. on Friday, qualifying for the Sprint will take place at 10:30 p.m. while the Sprint race and qualifying for the Grand Prix, scheduled for the second day, will take place at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. respectively. The start of the race will take place at 10 p.m. on Sunday.
The Miami Grand Prix, the first of the season contested on the American continent, will be broadcast exclusively on the channels of the Canal group, holder of the rights to the Formula 1 world championship. You will have to juggle between Canal Sport and Canal to watch the drivers battle it out over the weekend, with race qualifying and the Grand Prix broadcast on the Premium channel.
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 110 points2. Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 85 points3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 76 points4. Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 69 points5. Lando Norris (McLaren) 58 points6. Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 38 points7. George Russell (Mercedes) 33 points8. Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 31 points9. Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 19 points10. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 9 points11. Yuki Tsunoda (Racing Bulls) 7 points12. Oliver Bearman (Ferrari) 6 points13. Niko Hülkenberg (Haas) 4 points14. Kevin Magnussen (Haas) 1 point
The 2024 Formula 1 season will feature 24 Grands Prix. It began at the end of February in Bahrain and will end at the beginning of December in Abu Dhabi. Here is the complete F1 2024 calendar with times given in French time:
1. Bahrain GP (Sakhir): Saturday March 2 (Winner: Verstappen)2. Saudi Arabian GP (Jeddah): Saturday March 9 (Winner: Verstappen)3. Australian GP (Melbourne): Sunday March 24 (Winner: Sainz)4. Japanese GP (Suzuka): Sunday April 7 (Winner: Verstappen)5. Chinese GP (Shanghai): Sunday April 21 (Winner: Verstappen)6. Miami GP (Miami): Sunday May 5 at 10:7 p.m. Emilia-Romagna GP (Imola): Sunday May 19 at 3:8 p.m. Monaco GP: Sunday May 26 at 5:9 a.m. Canadian GP (Montreal): Sunday June 9 at 8:10 p.m. Spanish GP (Barcelona): Sunday June 23 at 3:11 p.m. Austrian GP (Spielberg): Sunday June 30 at 3:12 p.m. British GP (Silverstone): Sunday July 7 at 4:13 p.m. Hungarian GP (Budapest): Sunday July 21 at 3:14 p.m. Belgian GP (Spa-Francorchamps): Sunday July 28 at 3:15 p.m. Dutch GP (Zandvoort): Sunday August 25 at 3:16 p.m. Italian GP (Monza): Sunday September 1 at 3:17 p.m. Azerbaijan GP (Baku): Sunday September 15 at 1:18 p.m. Singapore GP (Marina Bay): Sunday September 22 at 2:19 p.m. United States GP (Austin): Sunday October 20 at 9:20 p.m. Mexican GP (Mexico): Sunday October 27 at 8:21 p.m. Brazilian GP (Interlagos): Sunday November 3 at 7:22 p.m. Las Vegas GP (Las Vegas): Sunday, November 24 at 6:23 a.m. Qatar GP (Losail): Sunday October 1 at 3:24 p.m. Abu Dhabi GP (Yas Marina): Sunday December 8 at 2 p.m.