FIA change Miami GP start time due to storm threat

The FIA has brought forward the planned start time of the 2026 F1 Miami Grand Prix, owing to thunderstorms. 

The 57-lap race was due to start at 16:00 local time on Sunday, May 3rd, but owing to the increasing threat of thunderstorms throughout the day, the decision has now been taken to move the start time forward in a bid to try to get the race in before the worst of the conditions. 

Following the change, the 2026 F1 Miami Grand Prix will now start at 13:00 local time. This is 18:00 BST, meaning the race has been brought forward by three hours. 

A joint statement from the FIA, F1 and the Miami GP read: “Following discussions between FIA, F1 and the Miami promoter, 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 close 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, teams and staff.”

As evidenced during the 2025 Miami GP Sprint, the track can dry quickly after heavy storms, but given the forecast is for continuously worsening conditions on Sunday, this is not possible.

Despite the race being brought forward, the race will still be subject to the 'lightning rule' in place for NASCAR and IndyCar and all outside sporting events in the US. 

If there is a lightning strike within an eight-mile radius of the track, an automatic 30-minute hold is followed. 

If another strike occurs within those 30 minutes, even with 29m:59s on the clock, the 30 minutes reset until it is fully completed without a lightning strike. 

It is not the first F1 race to be brought forward in recent times due to weather concerns, with the 2024 Sao Paulo GP featuring a heavily-revised schedule, including qualifying being moved to Sunday morning and the race itself being brought forward by 90 minutes.