Miami Grand Prix moved three hours earlier to dodge thunderstorms

Key facts

• Miami Grand Prix start time moved from 16:00 to 13:00 local time on Sunday.
• Decision made Saturday evening by FIA, F1, and Miami promoter after qualifying.
• Heavy rainstorms and lightning predicted for later afternoon near original start time.
• Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli starts on pole position; Max Verstappen second.
• Lando Norris (McLaren) qualified fourth and warned of 'chaos' from new 2026 cars in wet conditions.
• Previous two grands prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia were cancelled due to Middle East war.
• A Porsche race and other support activities cancelled as a result of the schedule change.
• Drivers have not yet raced in wet conditions with the new 2026 engine regulations.

Race rescheduled to avoid storms

The Miami Grand Prix will start three hours earlier than planned on Sunday, moving to 1 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) after forecasts of heavy thunderstorms in the area. The decision, announced Saturday evening following qualifying, was made jointly by Formula 1, the FIA, and local organisers. A joint statement said the change was intended to minimise disruption and maximise the window to complete the race in the best conditions, prioritising safety for drivers, fans, teams and staff. Lightning is a particular concern, with race suspension and shelter-in-place procedures already issued.

Pole-sitter Antonelli leads grid into unknown

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, the championship leader, will start from pole position, with Red Bull's Max Verstappen alongside him on the front row. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc qualified third, followed by McLaren's Lando Norris in fourth. The early start means drivers will face a track that could be wet from overnight or morning rain, but the bigger unknown is how the new 2026 cars behave in sustained wet conditions. Norris said the grid will be 'thrown in at the deep end', noting that the massive electrical power in the new engines and deployment unpredictability threaten 'a bit more chaos'.

New-era cars face first wet test

The 2026 season introduced the biggest rule change in Formula 1 history, with cars featuring significantly more electrical power and complex hybrid systems. So far, the three rounds — in Australia, China, and now Miami — have all been run in dry conditions. Norris admitted he does not know how wet it will be, but said the challenge will be immense: 'You can't afford to make any mistakes. We're thrown in the deep end, but that's what we're here to do.' The new cars have already proven tricky in the dry, and rain could expose unpredictable handling and power delivery.

Schedule change disrupts support events

The earlier start has forced the cancellation of a Porsche race and several other support activities originally scheduled for Sunday. The reshuffle aims to ensure the main event can be completed before the worst weather arrives. The race at the Hard Rock Stadium is the fourth round of a season already disrupted by geopolitical events. The Bahrain and Saudi Arabia grands prix, which were to open the calendar, were cancelled due to the war in the Middle East, making Miami a critical early marker for teams and drivers.

Drivers and teams brace for wet-weather gamble

With no wet-weather running in the new cars, teams have limited data on tyre behaviour, brake temperatures, and electrical system performance in the rain. The FIA and F1 have stressed that safety is the primary reason for the schedule change, but the earlier start also gives race control more flexibility to pause or shorten the race if conditions deteriorate. Verstappen, who won the previous Miami Grand Prix, will be looking to capitalise on his front-row start, while Antonelli aims to convert pole into a second win of the season. Leclerc, who spun on his final lap in qualifying, admitted the mistake was 'all on me', but Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur described the Miami weekend as 'mega tough' for the team.

Outlook: a race shaped by weather and new rules

Sunday's Grand Prix will be a test not only of driver skill but of how the new generation of cars handles unpredictable conditions. The schedule change, while disruptive, reflects the sport's heightened awareness of extreme weather risks, especially lightning. For the championship, the outcome could reshuffle the standings if favourites stumble in the wet. Williams driver Carlos Sainz said the team wants to live up to 'higher expectations', while Franco Colapinto, after his best-ever F1 result in Miami, expressed pride in his performance. The race will also serve as a rehearsal for the Hard Rock Stadium's preparations to host World Cup matches, with the venue racing to adapt its infrastructure.

The bottom line

• Miami Grand Prix start moved to 1 p.m. local time to avoid forecast thunderstorms and lightning.
• Kimi Antonelli starts on pole, with Max Verstappen second; Lando Norris warns of 'chaos' from new cars in wet conditions.
• The 2026 engine regulations have never been raced in the wet, creating uncertainty for teams and drivers.
• Support events, including a Porsche race, were cancelled to accommodate the earlier start.
• The race is the fourth round of a season already missing Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to war.
• Lightning safety protocols, including race suspension and shelter-in-place, have been activated.