FIA release statement with thunderstorms forecast for Miami Grand Prix

Wet weather could impact Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix (Getty)

F1’s governing body says they are “closely monitoring” the situation amid speculation Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix could be rescheduled due to thunderstorms.

While sunny conditions are expected for Friday and Saturday at the Hard Rock Stadium, the latest forecasts for Sunday show heavy thunderstorms hitting the Miami Gardens area.

Sunday’s grand prix is scheduled to start at 4pm local time (9pm BST), but the FIA could move the race forward a few hours, should the weather radar show a risk of lightning.

There is precedence for this: when qualifying at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo was cancelled, it took place early on Sunday morning before the grand prix, which was also shifted forward a few hours due to the risk of heavy downpours.

Another complication to the situation is US law’s strict instruction to halt any outdoor public event if there is a thunderstorm approaching, with spectators ordered to leave the area. The FIA say they do have a “contingency plan” in place.

An FIA spokesperson said on Thursday night: “We are closely monitoring the weather forecast for this weekend.

“Having faced a similar situation last year in Miami with threats of thunderstorms, we have a contingency plan in place and will activate it if needed to minimise disruption to the on-track programme.”

Miami hosts round four of the 2026 F1 season after a five-week break, due to the cancellation of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of the ongoing conflict in the Gulf.

It is also a sprint race weekend, with just one 90-minute practice session on Friday before competitive sessions begin with sprint qualifying.