Miami Grand Prix rescheduled as F1 and FIA take action over approaching thunderstorms
Reach Daily Express May 03, 2026 09:39 AM

The Miami Grand Prix will start three hours earlier than originally planned after Formula 1 and the FIA agreed to make a last-minute change to the schedule. The move has been made to mitigate against the threat posed to the race by thunderstorms that are forecast in south Florida later on Sunday.

As they did for the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix in similar circumstances, the sport's bosses have chosen to bring the scheduled start time for the race forward. Instead of 4pm local time on the east coast of the United States, 9pm in the UK, the race is now set to start at 1pm in Miami and 6pm in Britain.

A joint statement from F1, the FIA and the Miami Grand Prix promoter read: "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 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.

"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."

The much earlier start time for the main event has also meant several changes to the support race schedule. The Formula 2 feature race is now set to get under way at 9:25am local time, after the McLaren Trophy America support race at 8am, while the Porsche Carrera Cup North America race has been cancelled in order to make room for the other series.

Kimi Antonelli is set to start the F1 Grand Prix on pole position after an excellent first lap of Q3 which was good enough to beat all his rivals' second efforts. Max Verstappen was the only pole contender who went quicker with his final run, but still found himself almost two-tenths off the pace set by the Mercedes teenager.

MORE TO FOLLOW

We'll be bringing you the very latest updates, pictures and video on this breaking news story.

For the latest news and breaking news visit: http://express.co.uk/sport/football. Stay up to date with all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.

Follow us on Twitter @‌dexpress_sport - the official Daily Express & Express.co.uk Twitter account - providing real news in real time.

We're also on Facebook @‌dailyexpresssport - offering your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day to like, comment and share from the Daily Express, Sunday Express and Express.co.uk.

© Copyright @2026 LIDEA. All Rights Reserved.