Formula One officials adjust Miami Grand Prix start time amid weather concerns
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli secured pole position in a session marked by extreme heat and swirling winds before the schedule change was implemented.
The governing body of Formula One, the FIA, along with commercial rights holders and local promoters, has officially altered the start time for the Miami Grand Prix. The event, originally scheduled for 20:00 GMT, will now commence at 17:00 GMT on Sunday. This decision was implemented to prioritise safety and minimise disruption following a forecast predicting heavy rainstorms and potential thunderstorms closer to the original start time.
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the race in his Mercedes, setting a fastest lap of 1:27.798. The 19-year-old Italian driver finished ahead of Max Verstappen in the Red Bull and Charles Leclerc in the Ferrari. This achievement marks Antonelli's third consecutive pole position, a record he shares with Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, while also making him the youngest title race leader in Formula One history.
The qualifying session took place under challenging conditions, characterised by sweltering heat and swirling winds. Antonelli initially struggled with excitement during the third session before improving his time significantly to secure the front row. The intense competition saw top times separated by mere hundredths of a second, with the top five drivers finishing within a narrow margin of performance.
Teams have utilised a five-week hiatus in the season to introduce upgrade packages to their cars. This break occurred due to regional conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which paused the calendar and allowed constructors to modify their machinery. Max Verstappen noted that his team has worked intensively over the past few weeks to upgrade his car, aiming to make him more comfortable in the heavily revised Red Bull.
Ferrari has demonstrated improved performance compared to the earlier sprint race, where Lando Norris won in a McLaren one-two. The Italian team's set-up appears to have gained traction, with Leclerc finishing third in qualifying. Meanwhile, Mercedes also seemed quicker than anticipated, with Antonelli leading the grid ahead of his teammate George Russell and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.
The schedule change ensures the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions. Officials stated the decision was taken to ensure the least amount of disruption to the race while prioritising the safety of drivers, fans, teams, and staff. The Miami Grand Prix is set to proceed with these adjustments as the sport returns from the extended break.
