Formula 1: Miami Grand Prix start time moved up 3 hours because of weather forecast
The race was originally scheduled to start at 4 p.m. ET.
Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix has been moved up by three hours. The FIA and race organizers announced Saturday evening that the race, originally scheduled for 4 p. m.
ET, would instead start at 1 p. m. ET.
The decision was made with thunderstorms forecast for much of the afternoon in South Florida. “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 prioritize the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff,” a statement said. Formula 1 races can be held in the rain, but can’t be held with lightning in the vicinity.
And if heavy rain causes ponding on the track, that can also lead to dangerous conditions that F1 wants to avoid. Twelve years ago, F1 attempted to run the Japanese Grand Prix in heavy rain as a typhoon approached. Jules Bianchi’s car spun off the track and collided with a piece of heavy equipment.