Miami Grand Prix 2026 Start Time Adjusted Due to Weather Concerns
The start time of the 2026 Miami Grand Prix has been moved forward by three hours due to predictions of rain and thunderstorms. The race will now begin at 3am AEST on Monday morning (1pm local time in Miami on Sunday). This decision was made after discussions between the FIA, Formula One Management (FOM), and the Miami promoter, aiming to avoid potential disruptions caused by inclement weather.
The FIA released an official statement explaining the change. “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 1pm 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,” the statement 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 prioritise the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff.”
Qualifying Results and Key Takeaways
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the Miami Grand Prix, marking his third consecutive pole of the 2026 season. Joining him on the front row is Max Verstappen, who found his rhythm to finish second, while McLaren’s Lando Norris will start in fourth place and Oscar Piastri in seventh.
The qualifying results were a stark contrast to the sprint race earlier in the day, where Norris secured a comfortable win with his teammate finishing just behind for a 1-2 result for McLaren. This marks the first time in 2026 that Piastri was outqualified by his teammate for a grand prix.
Piastri admitted he was surprised by his performance. “Did…what I thought was a good job through Turn 4, 5 and 6. And then something weird happened, and that’s why my middle sector was so good because I lost a whole bunch of time with a super clip when I didn’t expect it and then had more energy on the back straight,” he said after the session.
Challenges of Wet Conditions
One key difference between Formula 1 and other motorsport events, such as NASCAR, is the strict time limit placed on races. Once a grand prix officially begins, it must be completed within a three-hour window. Even with the earlier start time, the Miami Grand Prix was always expected to take place in wet conditions. This will be the first time this year that the grid faces wet weather in a competitive session.
Antonelli acknowledged the challenges ahead. “It’s definitely going to be tricky because so many drivers haven’t driven the car in the wet (before),” he said after securing pole. “Hearing the feedback (from drivers that have), it’s not the easiest car to drive in the wet, but let’s see.”
Verstappen echoed similar sentiments about the difficulty of driving in the wet. “It’s quite a handful. It’s not going to be easy, but let’s first also wait and see how much water is going to come down, because that also makes a big difference,” the four-time champion said.
Key Points to Note
- The Miami Grand Prix start time has been moved forward to 3am AEST on Monday.
- The decision was made to avoid disruptions from heavy rain and thunderstorms.
- Kimi Antonelli secured pole position, continuing his strong form in the 2026 season.
- Lando Norris finished second, while Oscar Piastri faced challenges during qualifying.
- The race will be held in wet conditions, marking the first time this year.
- Drivers have expressed concerns about the difficulty of handling the cars in the rain.
- The race must be completed within a three-hour window once it starts.
