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Miami GP Shifted Earlier to Avoid Thunderstorms

5/3/2026

36 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Miami Grand Prix was moved three hours earlier to 1 p.m. ET on Sunday because thunderstorms were forecast.
The FIA, Formula 1 and the Miami promoter announced the change to minimise disruption and ensure safety.
AccuWeather projected a 57 percent chance of rain at lights-out while an FIA forecast warned of thunderstorms.
The earlier start shifts the Formula 2 race to 9:25 a.m., creating a larger daylight window before sunset at 7:53 p.m.

History

Historical Context

In August 1998, the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps was halted early because torrential rain made visibility zero and caused a first-lap pile-up, leading the FIA to stop the race. In May 2024, the Miami Grand Prix moved its start to 1 p.m. ET after officials cited a 57 % chance of thunderstorms. Both incidents illustrate how Formula One now builds flexible scheduling to react to real-time weather forecasts.

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Story summary

The Miami Grand Prix was moved three hours earlier to 1 p.m. ET on Sunday because thunderstorms were forecast.
The FIA, Formula 1 and the Miami promoter announced the change to minimise disruption and ensure safety.
AccuWeather projected a 57 percent chance of rain at lights-out while an FIA forecast warned of thunderstorms.
The earlier start shifts the Formula 2 race to 9:25 a.m., creating a larger daylight window before sunset at 7:53 p.m.

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