Why is the FIA ​​extending the F1 FP1 sessions at the Miami Grand Prix?

The FIA ​​has announced a change to the format of the Miami Grand Prix. F1 With the extension of the first free practice session, now 90 minutes. Initially scheduled for a standard one-hour duration, this session will now take place from 18:00 PM to 19:30 PM (Paris time). Consequently, the entire program preceding FP1 has been brought forward by 30 minutes.

This half-hour extension is not a luxury. The Miami Grand Prix is ​​run in a Sprint format, meaning that FP1 is the only practice session before the cars enter parc fermé. However, the paddock arrives in Florida after a month-long spring break, forced by the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, depriving the teams of fresh track data.

 

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The FIA ​​changes the F1 regulations

Above all, this session will serve as a testbed for the recent regulatory adjustments approved by the FIA, as the first Grands Prix of this 2026 era highlighted complex engine behaviors. To correct these issues and limit dangerous speed differences during races, such as the one that led to Oliver Bearman's accident in Japan, the FIA ​​has modified the charging and deployment parameters, among other things.

In qualifying, the maximum recharge is reduced from 8 to 7 MJ to reduce "super clipping" from 4 to 2 seconds per lap, while its maximum power has also been increased to 350 kW from 250 previously in order to reduce charging time.

During the race, the boost is limited to 150 kW to prevent excessive speed differences, with the MGU-K maintained at 350 kW in key areas but reduced to 250 kW elsewhere. Automatic MGU-K deployment is also introduced to ensure safe starts. While FP1 benefits from this schedule adjustment, the rest of the weekend in Florida is expected to follow the original program for now.

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