The FIA has announced that it is closely monitoring the weather situation ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, as thunderstorms are forecasted for Sunday. The governing body of Formula 1 has a contingency plan ready to minimise disruption, potentially rescheduling the race if necessary.
Weather Forecast and Potential Impact
While sunny conditions are expected for Friday and Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, the latest forecasts indicate heavy thunderstorms on Sunday. The race is scheduled to start at 4pm local time (9pm BST), but the FIA could move it forward a few hours if the weather radar shows a risk of lightning.
There is precedent for such action: during the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, qualifying was cancelled and moved to Sunday morning, with the grand prix also shifted earlier due to heavy downpours. Additionally, US law strictly requires outdoor public events to be halted if a thunderstorm approaches, with spectators ordered to leave the area.
FIA Statement and Contingency Plan
An FIA spokesperson stated on Thursday night: "We are closely monitoring the weather forecast for this weekend. Having faced a similar situation last year in Miami with threats of thunderstorms, we have a contingency plan in place and will activate it if needed to minimise disruption to the on-track programme."
The Miami Grand Prix is round four of the 2026 F1 season, following a five-week break due to the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of the ongoing conflict in the Gulf. It is also a sprint race weekend, with only one 90-minute practice session on Friday before competitive sessions begin with sprint qualifying.
