Miami GP start time moved up due to weather

The Miami Grand Prix will start at 1:00pm ET – three hours earlier than originally scheduled – due to the threat of thunderstorms on Sunday.

The weather forecast has been a talking point throughout the weekend, with the race’s previous 4:00pm ET start leaving a just under four-hour window before sunset to complete the event in. The FIA and Formula One Management had been in discussions with the race organizers and left a decision on any change in schedule to Saturday night to get a more accurate weather report, and have now opted to move the race earlier in the day to give themselves the best chance of completing the full distance.

“Following discussions between FIA, FOM and the Miami promoter, the decision has been taken to move the start of Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix to 1:00pm 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 the FIA, FOM and Miami Grand Prix read. “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 prioritize the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff.”

The FIA’s weather report currently predicts “numerous chances of rainfall” that could impact Sunday’s running.

“A front will stall across southern Florida tonight and linger all day Sunday, where showers and embedded thunderstorms may arrive in two primary rounds,” the report reads. “The first round comes overnight into early Sunday morning, with a general lull in activity possible midday. Chances then increase again during the late afternoon and early evening as the stalled front interacts with a moist and unstable environment.

“The morning round of precipitation should be lighter and more disorganized. In contrast, activity in the late afternoon through early evening should be more organized and thus more intense. Embedded thunderstorms will be possible in the afternoon and early evening with a couple storms posing a risk for 25-35 mm/hr rainfall rates, frequent lightning, brief wind gusts from 50-70 kph, and perhaps small hail.”