Severe weather already battering Miami: Is the race in jeopardy?

The Grand Prix in Miami will not start until 6:00 p.m. UK time; three hours earlier than originally planned. This was done to minimise the risk of thunderstorms as much as possible. Whether that will work remains to be seen. In the region, especially near the international airport, the first lightning strikes were reported in the morning.

GPblog is on site and has not observed any thunderstorms at the circuit. However, this website can confirm that rain is currently pouring down in buckets. The sky is also completely grey—a sign that more bad weather is on the way. One advantage for Formula 1: it is particularly warm in Miami, so the track can dry relatively quickly if the rain stops.

According to the latest weather predictions, a dry spell is expected around 9:30 a.m. local time (4:30 p.m. UK time). That is when the Formula 2 Feature Race is scheduled to start. For now, there is also no indication that this event or the Grand Prix will need to be moved again, but the FIA and Formula 1 are closely monitoring the situation.

Spectators at the Miami International Autodrome have in any case already been told to leave the premises as quickly as possible after the Grand Prix later in the day. The authorities want to prevent them from being without shelter at the time when the most thunderstorms are expected, namely toward the late afternoon.