The Miami Grand Prix has undergone a significant schedule change as severe weather conditions threaten the event. Forecasts of heavy rain and thunderstorms have prompted officials to move the start time forward by three hours on Sunday. The race at the Miami International Autodrome has been shifted from 9pm UK time (4pm local time) to 6pm UK time (1pm local time) following discussions with stakeholders.
Revised Schedule and Weather Outlook
The adjustment aims to allow much of the 57-lap race to be completed before the most intense thunderstorms arrive in the Hard Rock Stadium area during the late afternoon. According to the latest weather predictions, conditions at the revised start time will be largely cloudy with a 40% chance of scattered light showers. Temperatures are expected to hover around 26°C.
However, by 8pm UK time (3pm local time), the likelihood of severe thunderstorms and lightning rises to over 90%. Despite the earlier start, the race operates under a zero-tolerance policy regarding lightning. Under Miami state law, if lightning is detected within an eight-mile radius of Hard Rock Stadium, the race will be immediately red-flagged and all outdoor activity halted.
Impact on Support Races
The schedule change has forced alterations to the supporting events. The Porsche Carrera Cup North America race has been canceled entirely, while the Formula 2 Feature Race has been moved to an earlier slot at 2.25pm UK time (9.25am local time).
Mirror F1 Correspondent Daniel Moxon, reporting from Miami, noted that visibility is severely limited due to rain and thunderstorms on Sunday morning. He stated: "Lots of rain, thunder and lightning in Miami this morning. I opened my balcony door around 15 mins ago to be greeted by a lightning strike which an online tracing service tells me hit 0.4km away from my hotel. The advice is for people to seek shelter. Yesterday, you could see for miles up Miami Beach and towards Miami Gardens, where Hard Rock Stadium and the F1 circuit are. Today, visibility is significantly restricted. It's supposed to die down in the next hour or two, with more storms on the way this afternoon."
Moxon added: "If the weather is like this around 1pm local time (6pm UK), when the rescheduled race is now due to start, it's hard to imagine the action getting underway."
