FIA call urgent meeting over concerns that could affect Miami Grand Prix

The FIA have scheduled a meeting after qualifying amid concerns that extreme weather could impact the Miami Grand Prix.

F1’s governing body will hold the meeting to discuss how it will handle Sunday’s race, which may be affected by thunderstorms.

Extreme weather and thunderstorms have been a concern in the build-up to the race, with heavy rain posing a potential danger to F1 cars and drivers.

As a result, the FIA will discuss their options following Saturday’s qualifying session.

According to BBC Sport, race timings could be altered due to the weather, with the fourth Grand Prix of the season currently scheduled to start at 16:00 local time.

It must be acknowledged that no action may ultimately be required; however, alterations remain a possibility, as do further changes to the weather forecast.

Previous forecasts suggested that thunderstorms would not move towards the Miami International Autodrome until Monday; however, this has since changed, with weather systems now expected to arrive during the race.

Policies for most outdoor sports or public events mandate a minimum 30-minute delay after lightning has cleared a defined area before the event can resume.

Workers at the venue are also obliged to suspend the event when lightning strikes are imminent due to safety concerns.

Spectators must also be evacuated to shelter, and all aircraft operations must be grounded, such as medical helicopters.

If this happens during the race, a red flag procedure would come into effect, meaning the race would be halted and all participants would return to their designated team in the pit lane before the situation was deemed safe to continue.

Earlier this week, the FIA issued a statement saying it has a plan in place if adverse weather impacts the Miami Grand Prix weekend.

“We are closely monitoring the weather forecast for this weekend,” an FIA spokesperson told RacingNews365.

“Having faced a similar situation last year in Miami with threats of thunderstorms, we have a contingency plan in place and will activate it if needed to minimise disruption to the on-track programme.”

Decision-making will take place following talks between race officials, local meteorological services and circuit safety officials.