Formula 1 have confirmed that the Miami Grand Prix will start three hours earlier following troubling weather forecasts.
Following discussions between the FIA, F1 and the Miami Promoter, it has now been confirmed that tomorrow’s Miami Grand Prix will start three hours earlier.
The main race — which was under threat of being moved following extreme weather forecasts of thunderstorms and heavy rain — will now start at 13:00 local time, or 6PM UK time.
Those forecasts were predicted worryingly close to the race’s original start time, necessitating a move that ensures the longest possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best possible conditions.
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Miami’s race, which is 57 laps long and was previously scheduled to begin at 16:00 ET, can run per Formula 1’s rules for an active time of two hours, and, in the absence of no obviously better window, has been moved to “prioritise the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff.”
Florida laws advocate for the suspension of outdoor sports events if the sound of thunder is heard, with events unable to resume until 30 minutes beyond the latest occurrence.
The joint statement from FIA, FOM and the Miami Promoter read: “The decision has been taken to move the start of Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix to 13:00 local time in Miami due to the weather forecast that is expected to bring heavier rainstorms later in the afternoon closer to the original planned race start time.
“This decision has been taken to ensure the least amount of disruption to the race, and to ensure the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions and to prioritise the safety of drivers, fans, team and staff.
The FIA previously declared a rain hazard on Saturday afternoon following the sprint race, and worrying weather predictions have worsened each day in the week building up to the Miami Grand Prix.
That declaration allowed teams to make certain car changes after qualifying without breaking parc ferme rules - including changing sizes of front wings to maximise downforce and altering engine settings to yield more consistent power around the wet track.
The FIA last moved a race start time at the 2024 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, also being brought forward due to similarly concerning weather forecasts.
World Championship leader Kimi Antonelli, who today joined elite Formula 1 company, took pole position for Mercedes despite the advances made by Max Verstappen - who put his Red Bull on the front row despite finishing no higher than eighth in the previous three qualifying sessions of 2026.
The Italian's Silver Arrows team-mate, George Russell, finished fifth, behind the aforementioned two, Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and World Champion Lando Norris.
A torrid day for Aston Martin saw Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll take P18 and P19, with the Spaniard hitting out after the session at Ferrari's advantage in wet weather, which will still likely feature in Sunday's main race despite its new start time.
Miami Grand Prix qualifying results
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Lando Norris (McLaren)
- George Russell (Mercedes)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- Esteban Ocon (Haas)
- Alex Albon (Williams)
- Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)
- Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin)
- Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)
- Sergio Perez (Cadillac)
- Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)
- Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)
Kedar Bayley