FIA Moves Miami GP Start Time Forward Due to Storm Threat

The FIA has moved the start time of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix forward by three hours due to the threat of severe thunderstorms. The race will now begin at 1:00 PM local time (6:00 PM BST) on Sunday, May 3rd, in an effort to complete the event before the worst of the weather arrives.

Why it matters:

Proactive scheduling changes are crucial for safety and the integrity of the event. Moving the race avoids the high risk of a red-flagged or severely disrupted grand prix, ensuring fans get to see a complete race and teams have a fair competitive environment. This decision highlights the increasing role of precise weather forecasting in modern F1 race management.

The details:

• The original race start was scheduled for 4:00 PM local time on Sunday.
• The decision to move it forward was made by the FIA on Saturday, following qualifying, based on deteriorating weather forecasts.
• The 57-lap race around the Miami International Autodrome marks F1's return after an unusual five-week gap in the calendar, caused by the earlier cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix.
• The revised full weekend schedule is as follows (all times local, Miami):
  • Friday, May 1: Free Practice 1 (6:00 PM - 7:30 PM); Sprint Qualifying (10:30 PM - 11:14 PM).
  • Saturday, May 2: Sprint Race (6:00 PM - 7:00 PM); Grand Prix Qualifying (10:00 PM - 11:00 PM).
  • Sunday, May 3: GRAND PRIX (1:00 PM - 3:00 PM).

What's next:

All eyes will be on the skies over Hard Rock Stadium. While the earlier start aims to beat the storms, variable weather could still play a major tactical role in the race, potentially leading to a chaotic and unpredictable grand prix. Teams and drivers will need to be agile with their strategy calls, making the Miami GP a significant test of adaptability.