With thunderstorms threatening the Miami International Autodrome, the FIA's revised points system for incomplete races could come into play at the Miami Grand Prix.
Race organisers have already moved the start time forward three hours to 1:00 PM local time, with forecasts predicting severe weather arriving later in the afternoon.
Should lightning or torrential rain force a red flag that cannot be lifted, the championship implications will depend entirely on how much of the 57-lap distance has been completed.
The 2026 sporting regulations operate on a graduated scale that rewards drivers incrementally based on race completion.
If the grand prix manages just two laps under green flag conditions but less than 25% of the distance, only the top five score points, 6-4-3-2-1.
Once the race crosses the 25% threshold but remains below 50%, the top nine positions are rewarded with 13-10-8-6-5-4-3-2-1.
Between 50% and 75% completion, all top 10 finishers score points, though on a reduced scale of 19-14-12-9-8-6-5-3-2-1.
It is only when 75% or more of the race distance is reached that full points are awarded, the standard 25-18-15-12-10-8-6-4-2-1 allocation.
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Historical precedents for abandoned races
The regulations carry weight from past weather chaos. The 2021 Belgian Grand Prix saw just two laps behind the safety car before half-points were awarded, whilst the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix was abandoned after 33 of 56 laps due to a tropical downpour, with results taken from Lap 31.
Miami's decision to advance the start demonstrates the FIA's determination to complete races wherever possible. However, Florida law mandates the suspension of outdoor events at the sound of thunder, meaning once lightning arrives, the session must halt for at least 30 minutes.
With the race window now opening earlier, organisers are banking on avoiding the worst of the storms forecast for late afternoon.
For drivers and teams locked in tight championship battles, even cut-rate points could prove decisive across the season.
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