The start time for the Miami Grand Prix has been brought forward after the FIA reacted to severe weather forecasts expected to impact race day in South Florida.
Originally scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m. local time on Sunday, May 3, the 57-lap race will now get underway at 1:00 p.m. local time. This adjustment moves the race three hours earlier than planned, with corresponding times of 6:00 p.m. in the UK, 7:00 p.m. across Central Europe, and 10:00 a.m. on the U.S. West Coast. The decision follows consistent warnings throughout the week that thunderstorms could disrupt the event later in the afternoon, particularly around the Miami Gardens circuit.
Unpredictable and intense weather has already played a major role during the race weekend. On Saturday, local authorities issued official advisories due to extreme heat, with temperatures climbing close to 100°F (around 38°C) during both the Sprint race and qualifying sessions. These conditions, combined with the looming threat of lightning storms, prompted race officials to take proactive steps to avoid potential delays, interruptions, or safety risks during the main event.
In addition to the revised start time, the FIA has outlined detailed contingency procedures to address the possibility of lightning strikes in the vicinity of the circuit. These measures are based on local public safety regulations, which require outdoor sporting events to be paused if there is a credible risk of lightning.
If dangerous conditions arise during the pre-race grid procedure, the start will be delayed. Teams will receive official instructions to push their cars off the grid or from the pit lane and return them to their garages. During this time, all personnel must vacate the pit wall and signalling areas while garage doors remain open. Once conditions are deemed safe, teams will be instructed to return the cars to their original grid positions or the pit lane, after which the starting sequence will resume from the 10-minute signal.
Should lightning risks emerge after the race has already begun, the situation becomes more complex. In such cases, the race will be suspended, and all cars will be directed back to the pit lane, where they must stop in the fast lane. From there, teams will again be instructed to move the cars into their garages, while personnel clear designated working areas for safety reasons.
Interestingly, teams are still permitted to carry out limited work on their cars during this suspension period. However, any modifications must strictly comply with FIA regulations and must not interfere with the orderly restart of the race. Cars that are not positioned correctly or are moved without authorization risk being placed at the back of the queue when the race resumes.
Overall, the early start and clearly defined emergency procedures reflect the FIA’s effort to balance competitive integrity with the safety of drivers, teams, and spectators. With volatile weather expected, flexibility and preparedness will be key factors in ensuring the race proceeds as smoothly as possible.