Miami Grand Prix start time changed due to weather concerns
Formula 1 organisers have brought forward the Miami Grand Prix by three hours, with the race now scheduled to begin at 6pm due to the threat of severe thunderstorms, reports BritPanorama.
The decision, announced by F1 and the FIA on Saturday evening, comes after the cancellation of both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix earlier this season because of conflict in the Middle East. Forecasters predict heavy rainstorms arriving close to the original scheduled start time of 9pm, with the worst conditions expected around 8pm.
American regulations mandate the suspension of proceedings if lightning threatens the circuit area, requiring all personnel to seek shelter. World champion Lando Norris acknowledged that the unpredictability of the new machinery under wet conditions will pose a significant challenge for drivers, as most have yet to experience racing in the rain with the 2026 cars that feature substantial electrical power.
“I don’t know how wet it’s going to be,” Norris remarked. “It’s going to be a big challenge on race day for everyone to perform, find the limit. You can’t afford to make any mistakes,” adding a note of potential chaos due to difficulties in power deployment in slippery conditions.
Norris’s teammate Oscar Piastri also stressed the unknown factors that the drivers will face. “When it rains here, it normally is pretty torrential, so it could be an interesting day,” he noted, highlighting that decisions regarding energy deployment largely rest on computer systems, reducing the margin for error.
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who has tested the new cars in the rain, stated, “It’s quite slippery. It’s quite a handful. It’s not going to be easy,” underlining how rainfall intensity will significantly impact race dynamics. Visibility concerns due to spray, along with aquaplaning risks, complicate racing in wet conditions.
As teams adjust to changing conditions, the competitive order remains uncertain, particularly given how few drivers have experience with the current machinery in rain. McLaren, Red Bull, and Ferrari have introduced substantial upgrades for this race, while Mercedes has opted for minimal changes, focusing on a major development for the next event in Canada.
With unpredictability defining this weekend’s racing, it’s a reminder of the fine line between skill and luck in Formula 1 — as rain clouds gather over Miami, so too does the tension among teams and fans alike.
