The scheduled start time for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix has been brought forward by three hours due to fears of thunderstorms in Florida.
The race was originally scheduled for 9pm UK time (4pm local), but after Saturday’s qualifying, F1 and the FIA announced a new start time of 6pm UK time (1pm local).
The latest forecast calls for rain in the morning, followed by storms arriving in the mid-afternoon and continuing into the evening.
Florida law recommends that outdoor sporting events be canceled as soon as there is lightning and not allowed to resume until 30 minutes have passed since the last thunderclap or lightning strike.
A joint statement from the FIA, FOM and Miami Grand Prix said: “Following discussions between the FIA, FOM and the Miami Promoter, the decision has been made to move the start of Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix to 1pm Miami local time due to the forecast forecast for heavy rain in the late afternoon, close to the originally scheduled race start time.”
“This decision was taken to minimize disruption to the race, maximize time to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions, and prioritize the safety of our drivers, fans, teams and staff.”
On Saturday, world championship leader Kimi Antonelli took pole position for Mercedes, seeing off the challenge of a resurgent Max Verstappen who finished second for Red Bull.
It marked a turnaround in form after reigning world champion Lando Norris led teammate Oscar Piastri in a one-two, with McLaren dominating the sprint events.
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2026 Miami Grand Prix Sprint Race Highlights
The last time the FIA changed the start time of a race was in 2024 at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, when similarly worrying forecasts brought the event forward.
Vehicles that have been revised to new regulations this year have restrictions when wet. Straightline mode, which opens the front and rear wings to reduce drag on straight lines, will be prohibited, as will boost mode, meaning the car will not be able to deliver the extra 350kW of power out of corners.
Antonelli wants to avoid “crazy conditions” but is open to a rolling start
Pole sitter Kimi Antonelli has struggled to start so far this season, most recently dropping from second on the grid to fourth on the first lap of the sprint in Miami on Saturday.
Rain is rarely ideal for pole-sitters, but Antonelli seemed enthusiastic about the prospect of a rolling start rather than a static start, as it could rain if conditions were wet for Sunday’s race.
Antonelli told Sky Sports F1: “A rolling start would definitely eliminate the element[of a standing start]but we’ll see.”
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Kimi Antonelli says he’s happy to secure pole position in Miami after enduring harsh weather and wind all weekend
“Obviously, we’re expecting a lot of rain, so let’s see what happens and the timing as well. Hopefully we can find the best timing so it doesn’t get crazy.”
Considering there will be just three races in F1’s all-new cars in 2026, the majority of the field had little, if any, experience driving the new cars in wet conditions.
Antonelli added: “Even if there is a wet surface, it will certainly be slippery and it won’t be easy because everyone is inexperienced and some of them have no experience on wet surfaces.”
“This is going to be a whole new challenge for everyone.”
Red Bull’s Verstappen, who will start on the front row for the first time this season, said: “Of course I had driven them in Barcelona (during pre-season) as well (in the wet). I think it was just me and Charles driving that day, so yeah, it was very lonely.”
“It’s quite a lot. It’s not easy. But let’s wait and see how much water comes down first, because that will make a big difference.”
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Lewis Hamilton says his car improved in Miami qualifying and he feels optimistic for tomorrow’s race
Piastri, who started seventh, quipped that McLaren would “probably (need) to make the oars first.”
He added: “I haven’t looked at the weather forecast, but everyone has been talking about it all weekend so I’m going to follow it.”
“Let’s see what we can get. If it’s raining, that’s obviously going to put a lot of spanners in the works. No one’s ever really driven these cars in the rain, no one really knows what they’re going to do, so we’re hoping we’re on the right track.”
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who sits sixth on the grid, has more experience of driving new cars in wet weather than anyone else, having completed two days of bespoke wet-weather testing for Pirelli at Fiorano during F1’s enforced April break.
Speaking in Miami on Thursday, Hamilton said: “We definitely did more wet testing than we’ve probably ever done before. We spent a whole day in Barcelona and it wasn’t fun. Then two weeks ago we did two days of wet testing.”
Sky Sports F1 Miami GP Schedule
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The Miami Grand Prix is a unique experience. Check out some of our favorite moments from the past few years.
Sunday, May 3rd
2:25pm: F2 Feature Race
4pm: Miami GP Build-up: Grand Prix Sunday
6pm: Miami Grand Prix*
8pm: Miami GP reaction: Checkered flag*
9pm: Ted’s Notes*
*Also held at Sky Sports Main Event
F1 will resume the 2026 season in Miami. Watch the Grand Prix live on Sky Sports F1 from 6pm on Sunday. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
