The Miami Grand Prix has been rescheduled to start at 1:00 PM local time (6:00 PM BST), three hours earlier than originally planned, due to imminent heavy rain and thunderstorms expected later in the afternoon. This decision followed thorough discussions between Formula One officials, the FIA, and race promoters, prioritizing the safety of drivers, teams, staff, and fans.
The FIA had issued a rain hazard declaration for the 57-lap race, forecasting a greater than 40 percent chance of rain. With Florida state law requiring events to halt during lightning within an eight-mile radius, contingency plans are in place to minimize disruption.
This rescheduling aims to maximize the window for completing the race under safer and better conditions. Should the race proceed, drivers face the prospect of competing in wet conditions—an unfamiliar scenario for many with the new generation of Formula One cars. Several drivers have noted the increased challenge of handling the cars in the wet, highlighting the unpredictable nature of race day.
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Pole-sitter and championship leader Kimi Antonelli acknowledged the difficulty, commenting, “It’s going to be tricky because so many drivers did not use it in the wet. Hearing feedback it is not the easiest in the wet." Lewis Hamilton, starting sixth for Ferrari, has experienced wet conditions more extensively in pre-season testing and at Ferrari’s Fiorano track, describing it as “very slippery” and “not a fun day.”
Qualifying concluded with a strong performance from the Mercedes team, as 19-year-old Antonelli secured pole position, maintaining Mercedes’ dominance in qualifying this season. Max Verstappen qualified second, followed closely by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in third and McLaren’s Lando Norris in fourth.
Antonelli, who has won the past two races, continues to lead the championship with George Russell as a close contender in fifth position. Norris, having shown impressive pace by converting sprint pole into victory, is set for a competitive race despite the challenging weather forecast.