The kickoff for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix has been shifted three hours earlier because forecasters are warning of thunderstorms across Florida. Originally slated to begin at 9 p.m. UK time (4 p.m. local), the race organizers – F1, the FIA and the Miami promoters – announced after Saturday’s qualifying that the event will now start at 6 p.m.
UK time (1 p.m. Miami time). Current weather models indicate rain will fall in the morning, followed by increasingly intense storm activity in the early afternoon that could persist into the evening.
Florida statutes require outdoor sporting events to be halted the moment thunder is heard, and they may not resume until at least thirty minutes have passed since the last lightning strike. In a joint press release, the FIA, Formula One Management (FOM) and the Miami Grand Prix officials explained: "Following extensive discussions among the FIA, FOM and the Miami promoter, we have decided to move the start of Sunday’s race to 1 p.m.
local time in order to avoid the heavier rainstorms forecast for the later part of the afternoon, which would have coincided with the original start window. This change is intended to minimise disruption, maximise the available window for a safe and competitive race, and protect the wellbeing of drivers, spectators, teams and staff." Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli secured pole position on Saturday, edging out a resurgent Max Verstappen who took second for Red Bull.
The pole‑sitter’s performance came after a dramatic Sprint race where McLaren, having dominated the earlier sprint events, saw Lando Norris claim a one‑two finish ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri. The decision to move the start time mirrors a similar adjustment made at the 2024 São Paulo Grand Prix, where organisers also advanced the schedule in response to an adverse weather outlook. If rain does fall on race day, the 2026 cars will face additional constraints. The new aerodynamic devices introduced for this season – Straight Line Mode, which opens the front and rear wings on the straights to reduce drag, and Boost Mode, which provides an extra 350 kW of power out of corners – will be prohibited in wet conditions.
This means drivers will have to rely solely on the baseline aerodynamic package and the limited engine output permitted under the wet‑weather regulations. Antonelli, who has struggled with his starts this year – dropping from second on the grid to fourth on the opening lap of Saturday’s Sprint – expressed optimism about a possible rolling start if the track is wet. "If it’s a rolling start, it removes the standing‑start element, which could be beneficial in the rain.
Let’s see what the timing looks like and hope we can avoid chaotic conditions," he told Sky Sports F1. Given that the 2026 season has only seen three races with the brand‑new cars, most drivers have had limited exposure to wet‑weather performance in these machines. Antonelli acknowledged the challenge: "It will be slippery if it rains, and many of us have little to no experience in the wet with these cars. It’s a fresh challenge for everyone." Verstappen, starting on the front row for the first time this season, reflected on his limited wet‑testing: "I drove in the wet in Barcelona during pre‑season, just me and Charles that day, so it was a bit lonely.
It’s a handful, not easy. We’ll have to see how much water actually falls, because that makes a big difference." Piastri, who qualified seventh, joked that McLaren might need to "build some oars" to navigate the potential rain. He added, "Everyone’s been talking about the forecast all weekend.
If it’s wet, it throws a lot of spanners in the works – nobody has really driven these cars in the rain, so we’ll just have to hope we’re on the right side of it." Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, starting sixth, brings more wet‑weather experience than most of the field. He spent two days in a dedicated wet‑weather test programme for Pirelli at the Fiorano circuit during the mandatory April break, in addition to a full day of testing in Barcelona. "I’ve done more wet testing than probably ever before – a whole day in Barcelona and two days at Fiorano recently," Hamilton said in Miami on Thursday. The revised timetable for the weekend is as follows: - Sunday, May 3 – 2:25 p.m.: Formula 2 Feature Race - 4:00 p.m.: Miami GP build‑up sessions - 6:00 p.m.: Main Grand Prix (now the official start) - 8:00 p.m.: Post‑race reaction and Chequered Flag analysis - 9:00 p.m.: Ted’s Notebook segment All events will also be broadcast on Sky Sports Main Event.
Fans can stream every F1 session via NOW, with Sky Sports F1 offering live coverage of the Grand Prix. The network encourages viewers to use the Chrome browser for the most accessible video player experience. In summary, the early start is a proactive measure designed to sidestep the forecasted thunderstorms, preserve the integrity of the competition, and keep everyone safe.
While the rain could introduce new variables – from altered aerodynamics to the possibility of a rolling start – the drivers’ preparation, testing experience, and adaptability will be put to the test on Miami’s street circuit. The stage is set for an exciting, potentially wet‑weather showdown that could have significant implications for the rest of the 2026 Formula 1 season.