What’s the new Miami GP start time? Why the F1 race has been moved
Sunday’s 2026 Miami Grand Prix has been brought forward by three hours, Formula 1 and the FIA have announced.
The 2026 Miami Grand Prix will now be held this Sunday at 1:00 p.m. ET at the Hard Rock Stadium circuit. The race had originally been scheduled to start three hours later, but the risk of thunderstorms and the strict safety protocols governing outdoor events in the United States prompted organizers - together with Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams - to revise this weekend’s race schedule at the Miami International Autodrome.
“Maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix”
Team principals, the FIA, and Formula 1 met on Saturday afternoon to review Sunday’s weather forecast and confirm the change to the main race start time, along with adjustments to the rest of the support schedule. “The 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,” a joint F1–FIA statement explained.
What is the lightning protocol?
While rain probabilities have fluctuated in recent days, the potential for thunderstorms on Sunday has forced the championship to take precautions, as U.S. protocols are particularly strict: if lightning is detected, all spectators and event personnel must be evacuated, and no one is allowed to return to their positions until 30 minutes after the last lightning strike. Such a scenario would seriously jeopardize the normal running of the race.
According to Tomorrow.io, the event’s official weather provider, Sunday’s outlook remains delicate. Rain is expected to be a real factor, with forecasts indicating a 50% to 70% chance of precipitation during the race. Showers could range from steady to occasionally heavy, though they are likely to be uneven across the circuit, arriving in bursts with intermittent dry spells. There is also a tangible risk of thunderstorms, which could dump rainfall at rates of up to 25 millimeters per hour, accompanied by lightning activity and strong wind gusts reaching between 50 and 70 kilometers per hour.
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