Formula One reschedules Miami Grand Prix amid storm threat and wet track uncertainty

The 2025 Miami Grand Prix has been rescheduled to commence at 13:00 local time, three hours earlier than the original slot, following a warning of severe thunderstorms. The decision, made by Formula One and the FIA on Saturday evening, aims to ensure the event can be completed before heavy rain is forecast to begin around 15:00 local time.

Officials stated that the change was necessary to prioritise the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff, while minimising disruption to the race. The governing bodies noted that the weather forecast predicts heavier rainstorms closer to the original start time, which could otherwise force a suspension under US local laws regarding lightning threats.

World champion Lando Norris has warned that the grid will be thrown into the deep end regarding the wet conditions. He highlighted that the vast majority of drivers have not yet tested the new 2026-spec cars in the rain, noting that the massive electrical power available in the new engines combined with deployment difficulties could create significant chaos on the track.

Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli secured pole position ahead of Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc, with Norris qualifying fourth. While McLaren dominated the preceding sprint race with a one-two finish, the team fell back during qualifying. Verstappen, one of the few drivers to have tested the new cars in wet conditions, described the track as quite slippery and a handful, emphasising that the margin for error is significantly smaller.

The schedule adjustment follows the cancellation of the previous two Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to the war in the Middle East. Despite the earlier start, the race is still likely to be wet, with officials hoping conditions will be acceptable for running the cars before the worst of the weather arrives.