MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 03: Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 leads Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain driving the (44) Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 George Russell of Great Britain driving the (63) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W16 and the remainder of the field at the start during the Sprint ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 03, 2025 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Rudy Carezzevoli/Getty Images)
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The start time for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix has been brought forward by three hours due to thunderstorms and rain threats, Formula 1 has announced.
Originally set to begin at 4 p.m. local time (EDT), the race will now kick off at 1 p.m. (10 a.m. PDT, 6 p.m. BST).
The decision was made following discussions between F1, the governing body FIA and the Miami promoter, as heavy rainstorms are forecasted to hit the track Sunday afternoon along with a risk of lightning around the originally scheduled race window.
The adjustment aims at minimizing the number of disruptions to the race and also providing better and safer conditions for drivers, spectators and everyone involved.
Officials will need to continue monitoring the weather forecast however as conditions could deteriorate beyond what was initially expected.
Lightning, thunder and heavy rainfall have already been reported from the track in the hours leading up to the race, with fans being told to “seek shelter inside the nearest protected area” or inside the Hard Rock Stadium.
“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,” a joint statement from F1, FIA and Miami Grand Prix said.
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“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.”
MIAMI, FLORIDA - MAY 3: A weather warning is displayed on screen in the paddock during the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 3, 2026 in Miami, United States. (Photo by Kym Illman/Getty Images)
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In Florida, outdoor events are advised to be suspended as soon as thunder is heard, with at least a 30-minute wait after the last clap of thunder or lightning before activities can resume.
The National Weather Service recommends following the “30-30 rule,” which states that if the time between seeing lightning and hearing thunder is less than 30 seconds, the storm is close enough to be dangerous. In such cases it is advised to wait at least 30 minutes before leaving shelter.
NWS also states that lightning is the number one weather-related killer in Florida, claiming more lives than all other weather sources combined. The state also ranks highest in the United States for lightning deaths, injuries and casualties.
Given all these safety concerns and the fact that medical helicopters cannot even operate during lightning storms, which would prevent emergency response if needed, adjusting the race start time was a necessary and sensible decision.
The Miami Grand Prix takes place on Sunday at 1 p.m. local time (EDT), which translates to 12 p.m. CDT, 10 a.m. PDT, 6 p.m. BST and 7 p.m. CEST.
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