'Least amount of disruption': Miami Grand Prix start time moved earlier due to severe thunderstorm threat
The 2026 Miami Grand Prix starting time has been shifted forward by three hours due to forecasts of rain and thunderstorms, now starting at 3am AEST Monday morning (1pm Sunday ET local time).
Following discussions regarding the threat of inclement weather, the FIA elected to move the Formula 1 race start to minimise potential disruptions from rain and storms.
The governing body also released an official statement detailing the decision.
READ MORE: Rising NRL superstar set to sign multi-million dollar deal
READ MORE: Verstappen's ominous warning as 'disappointing' Piastri flounders
READ MORE: Arsenal heaps pressure on rival in red-hot title race battle
"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 FIA statement read.
Heavy rain is forecast for race day. LAT Images
"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."
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli is set to start on pole for the Miami Grand Prix, his third consecutive pole position of the 2026 season.
Joining him on the front row is a surging Max Verstappen, who found his rhythm to fight for second place, while McLaren's Lando Norris will start in fourth and Oscar Piastri in seventh.
Lando Norris won the sprint race, with teammate Oscar Piastri behind the second. Getty
The qualifying result was a far cry from the comfortable win Norris secured in the sprint race just hours earlier, with his teammate just behind him for a 1-2 result for McLaren.
It also marks the first time in 2026 that Piastri was outqualified by his teammate for a grand prix.
"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," Piastri admitted after the session.
A 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 heavily expected to take place in wet conditions. This will mark the first time the grid faces wet weather in a competitive session this year.
"It's definitely going to be tricky because so many drivers haven't driven the car in the wet (before)," Antonelli said after securing pole.
Kimi Antonelli and Max Verstappen will line up on the front row in Miami. Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
"Hearing the feedback (from drivers that have), it's not the easiest car to drive in the wet, but let's see."
Verstappen echoed the tricky nature of the cars.
"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.
