Miami Grand Prix moved three hours earlier as thunderstorms threaten race

Key facts

• Original start time was 16:00 local time; new start time is 13:00 local time (18:00 BST).
• Decision made by FIA, Formula 1, and Miami Grand Prix promoter on Saturday evening.
• Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) starts on pole; Max Verstappen (Red Bull) completes front row.
• Lando Norris (McLaren) qualified fourth and warned of 'chaos' due to unpredictable electrical power in new 2026 engines.
• Two previous grands prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled due to war in the Middle East.
• Heavier rainstorms forecast for later afternoon near original race start time.

Race start shifted to avoid afternoon storms

The Miami Grand Prix will begin three hours earlier than originally scheduled after the FIA, Formula 1, and the Miami promoter agreed to move the start time to 13:00 local time on Sunday. The decision, announced on Saturday evening, was driven by forecasts of heavy thunderstorms expected later in the afternoon near the original 16:00 start. In a joint statement, the governing body, commercial rights holder, and race organizers said the change was made to minimize disruption and maximize the window to complete the grand prix in the best conditions. “This decision has been taken to ensure the least amount of disruption to the race, and to ensure the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions and to prioritise the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff,” the statement read.

Drivers brace for first wet-weather test of 2026 regulations

The revised schedule means the race could take place in wet conditions, presenting a significant challenge for most of the grid. Lando Norris, the world champion and McLaren driver, said the drivers will be “thrown in at the deep end” because the vast majority have not yet experienced the 2026 cars in the rain. Norris, who qualified fourth behind Kimi Antonelli, Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc, highlighted the unpredictability of the new power units. “The massive amount of electrical power available in the new engines, and the issues teams have been having deploying it in a predictable manner, threaten a bit more chaos,” he said. “I don't know how wet it's going to be. It's going to be a big challenge on race day for everyone to perform, find the limit. Obviously, you can't afford to make any mistakes. We're thrown in the deep end, but that's what we're here to do. I look forward to it.”

Antonelli on pole as Verstappen shows revival

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli will start from pole position for Sunday’s race, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen alongside him on the front row. The qualifying session saw Antonelli edge out Verstappen, who has shown a resurgence in form after a difficult start to the season. Norris qualified fourth behind Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who was handed a penalty after the Miami Grand Prix for an unspecified infringement. The grid order sets up a potentially tense battle at the front, especially if rain complicates strategy and tire choices.

Cancellations and context: a season disrupted

The Miami Grand Prix is the first race to be held after the cancellation of the previous two scheduled grands prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, which were called off due to the war in the Middle East. The disruption has compressed the calendar and heightened the importance of each remaining round. Saturday’s qualifying also saw Isack Hadjar disqualified from the session, though the details of the disqualification were not immediately disclosed. The race will be the fifth edition of the Miami Grand Prix, held at the Hard Rock Stadium circuit.

Strategy and safety take center stage

The early start time gives race organizers a longer window to complete the grand prix if weather interruptions occur. The FIA and F1 emphasized that the decision prioritized safety for drivers, fans, teams, and staff. With the new 2026 engines producing significantly more electrical power, drivers face a steep learning curve in wet conditions. Norris’s warning of “a bit more chaos” underscores the uncertainty surrounding the race, as teams have struggled to deploy the hybrid systems predictably. The outcome could hinge on how quickly drivers adapt to the car’s behavior on a damp track.

What comes next: a race that could reshape the championship

The Miami Grand Prix now carries extra weight as the first race after a two-race hiatus. A win for Antonelli would mark a major milestone for Mercedes, while Verstappen will look to capitalize on his front-row start to close the gap in the standings. Norris, starting fourth, remains a threat, especially if rain levels the playing field. The early start also means the race will conclude by mid-afternoon local time, avoiding the worst of the forecast storms. But the unpredictable weather and the untested wet-weather performance of the 2026 cars mean the race could produce surprises that reverberate through the rest of the season.

The bottom line

• The Miami Grand Prix start time was moved from 16:00 to 13:00 local time to avoid forecast thunderstorms.
• The decision was made jointly by the FIA, Formula 1, and the Miami promoter on Saturday evening.
• Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) starts on pole; Max Verstappen (Red Bull) is second; Lando Norris (McLaren) is fourth.
• Most drivers have not driven the 2026 cars in the wet, leading to warnings of unpredictability and chaos.
• The race is the first since two cancellations due to the war in the Middle East.
• Safety and maximizing the race window were cited as primary reasons for the schedule change.