2 May 2026FIARace report

Miami GP start time moved to 1 p.m. ET due to weather forecast

Organizers have moved the start of the Miami Grand Prix to 1 p.m. ET, one hour earlier than planned, in an effort to avoid forecasted heavy rainstorms later in the afternoon. The proactive change aims to ensure the race can be run safely and in full.

The start time for Sunday's Miami Grand Prix has been moved forward by one hour to 1:00 p.m. local time (ET) due to a forecast calling for heavier rainstorms later in the afternoon. The decision, made jointly by the FIA, Formula 1, and the event promoter, aims to maximize the chance of running the race in the best possible conditions and prioritize safety for everyone at the circuit.

Why it matters:

Race start time changes are rare and significant logistical undertakings, affecting everything from global TV schedules to fan travel plans. Proactively moving the start demonstrates a clear priority for completing the full Grand Prix distance safely and competitively, rather than risking a delayed start, lengthy red flags, or a potentially truncated race under extreme weather conditions.

The details:

The original race start was scheduled for 2:00 p.m. local time in Miami.
Forecasts indicated a high probability of heavier rainstorms moving into the area closer to that original start window.
The one-hour shift to a 1:00 p.m. start is intended to create a larger buffer of drier conditions to begin the race.
The decision was reached following discussions between the sport's governing body (FIA), the commercial rights holder (Formula 1 Management), and the local Miami Grand Prix organizers.
The official reasoning cites three key goals: minimizing disruption, ensuring the maximum window to complete the race, and prioritizing the safety of drivers, fans, teams, and all personnel on site.

What's next:

All other on-track schedules for the Miami Grand Prix weekend, including support series sessions, are expected to proceed as originally planned. Teams and drivers will now finalize their race strategies based on the revised start time and the latest weather models. The change puts a greater emphasis on executing a clean pre-race procedure and grid formation to capitalize on the intended drier window at 1 p.m.