F1's Miami Grand Prix schedule in doubt amid thunderstorm threat
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- The Miami Grand Prix scheduled for Sunday at 4 p.m. ET faces potential heavy thunderstorms, which could cause significant delays or interruptions due to Florida's strict 30-minute lightning rule for outdoor events.
- The FIA will monitor weather conditions closely using advanced forecasting tools and may adjust the race schedule, potentially canceling support races like Porsche Supercup and moving the Formula 2 race earlier to accommodate an earlier F1 start.
- No plans exist to postpone the race to Monday despite social media rumors; any race stoppage due to lightning requires a 30-minute lightning-free interval before resuming, with sunset at 7:52 p.m. potentially limiting race completion.
- Wet race conditions would trigger new F1 rules disabling battery boost mode, capping power deployment, and altering aerodynamic settings, which drivers have expressed concerns about, particularly regarding tire temperatures, visibility, and closing speeds between cars.
- Drivers highlighted the challenges of racing in the rain, emphasizing the difficulty of maintaining control and the increased risk due to limited visibility and varying power strategies among competitors.
