Weather forecasts for Sunday predict an 80 to 90 percent chance of rain, with a 50 to 85 percent risk of thunderstorms, threatening the race schedule. Florida state law requires major outdoor events to be suspended if lightning is detected within a certain radius, which could force a stop regardless of Formula 1's preferences.
The FIA released detailed contingency protocols for lightning, including shelter-in-place procedures and race suspension rules. According to the FIA, a special rule for US events permits teams to work on cars inside the garage during a lightning-related red flag, unlike the usual pit lane requirement. The protocol also states that any cars already in the garage at the moment of suspension would be relegated to the back of the grid for a restart.
Lando Norris said drivers will be "thrown in at the deep end" by the expected wet conditions.
The Miami Grand Prix is being held as a sprint weekend, according to event organizers. In sprint qualifying, Lando Norris secured pole position, according to official results, and converted it into a victory, leading a McLaren one-two ahead of teammate Oscar Piastri. Charles Leclerc finished third for Ferrari, according to the race classification.
In qualifying for the main race, Kimi Antonelli secured pole position, according to timing data, edging out Max Verstappen by almost two-tenths of a second. According to the FIA technical delegate, Isack Hadjar was summoned by stewards after post-session inspections found his car's floorboards extended 2mm beyond the permitted reference volume, risking a potential disqualification.
Oscar Piastri described the wet race as a "voyage into the unknown" and noted the margin for error is significantly smaller.
Red Bull introduced a significant upgrade package to Miami, including a new floor and a 'Macarena' rear wing among seven modifications, according to multiple reports. The team hopes these changes will address the performance issues that have plagued their season, according to team statements.
According to paddock reports, Ferrari and McLaren also arrived with substantial upgrades for the Miami weekend, intensifying the development race. Mercedes, however, opted not to bring a major upgrade package, according to team representatives.
Max Verstappen criticized the new F1 rules as "Mario Kart" due to excessive focus on battery management and hinted he might not stay to see improvements.
As per the current standings, Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' championship with a nine-point advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell. Max Verstappen, after a difficult start to the season, sits only ninth in the standings—an unfamiliar position for the four-time world champion.
Lando Norris admitted drivers would be 'thrown in at the deep end' by the anticipated wet conditions, while Oscar Piastri described it as a 'voyage into the unknown' with a much smaller margin for error. Norris added that the unknowns around rain intensity present a major challenge, and drivers cannot afford mistakes.
Lando Norris said the massive electrical power and deployment issues in the new engines could cause 'a bit more chaos'.
Max Verstappen criticised the new 2026 regulations, comparing them to 'Mario Kart' due to the excessive focus on battery management, and hinted he might not remain in the sport if things don't improve. Lando Norris added that the massive electrical power and deployment issues with the new engines could lead to 'a bit more chaos' during the race.
According to the revised schedule, the earlier start time forced changes to the support race timetable: the Formula 2 feature race was brought forward to 9:25am, McLaren Trophy America to 8am, and the Porsche Carrera Cup North America race was cancelled entirely. According to reports, these modifications created logistical headaches for broadcasting arrangements, spectator access, and international transmission windows.
Lando Norris stated that the unknown rain level is a big challenge and drivers cannot afford mistakes.
According to a joint statement, the decision to move the race start was made by Formula 1 and the FIA, in close collaboration with local meteorological services and circuit safety officials. According to officials, the FIA initiated discussions about advancing the Sunday schedule based on evolving weather models.
The primary objective, according to forecasts, is to conclude the race before the severest weather, which is expected to arrive at approximately 3pm local time. Earlier in the week, weather models had projected that storms would bypass the Miami circuit until Monday, but the outlook worsened.
A lightning-related suspension, according to race officials, could dramatically affect strategy, tyre choices, and championship outcomes. Race experts note that while Formula 1 cars are capable of running in wet conditions, visibility is severely limited by spray, and standing water raises the risk of aquaplaning.
Only Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc, and Lewis Hamilton have any experience driving the 2026 cars in wet conditions, gained during pre-season testing. The majority of the field will face the rain with no prior wet running, adding an extra layer of unpredictability.
Formula 1 has yet to announce new dates for the postponed Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix, though there is speculation, reported by Sportbladet, that the Saudi race could be rescheduled for December as the penultimate round.
Off the track, the Miami Grand Prix attracted celebrity guests including Lionel Messi, Rafael Nadal, Jimmy Fallon, and DJ Khaled, according to multiple reports. According to a team announcement, McLaren expanded into golf equipment, signing Justin Rose as a brand ambassador alongside Lando Norris. The team’s commercial success is reflected in its soaring valuation, which Forbes estimates has grown from £560 million in 2020 to approximately £4 billion as of September 2025, making it the third most valuable franchise in Formula 1.