Formula 1 has decided to move up the start of the Miami Grand Prix to 1:00 PM, three hours earlier than originally planned, in response to storm predictions that threaten to disrupt Sunday’s schedule.
According to weather forecasts, heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected in the afternoon. Therefore, F1 officials, the FIA, and organizers of the Miami GP met on Saturday night to discuss possible changes to the schedule.
With weather conditions expected to worsen throughout the afternoon, the decision was made to advance the start of the race to allow more time to complete the event if conditions permit. A joint statement from F1 and the FIA stated: “The decision has been made to ensure the least possible interruption of the race and to prioritize the safety of drivers, fans, teams, and personnel.”
The threat of lightning is one of the main issues that must be addressed. Local legislation dictates that any detectable lightning within an eight-mile radius of the track requires the event to be suspended and all attendees to seek shelter. Activity can only resume after 30 minutes without additional lightning in the area.
Additionally, the FIA has implemented a new protocol that declares a hazard for rain before the start of qualifying if the probability of rain exceeds 40%. This protocol allows teams to make additional changes to the cars during the closed park period that would normally be prohibited.
If race control declares low grip conditions during the competition, there will also be additional changes regarding the operation of the 2026 season cars. In this case, drivers will be unable to use the power boost mode, and the power of the MGU-K unit will be reduced from 350kW to 250kW.
As part of the revised schedule, the F2 race will now start at 9:25 AM, allowing for better time management before the Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
