Lando Norris on his way to sprint race pole position in Miami (Image: Getty)
The threat of disruption continues to hang over the Miami Grand Prix. There are weather concerns around Sunday’s race, with heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast that may impact the action.
Sprint qualifying, topped by world champion Lando Norris, was run in hot, sunny conditions, and similar weather is expected for the sprint race and Grand Prix qualifying on Saturday, with highs of 34°C. However, it is a different story for Sunday, when there is an 85 per cent chance of thunderstorms and lightning in the area. Compared to earlier in the week, the projected high temperature for Sunday has dropped from 28°C to 26°C, signalling that the cold front is moving in with more intensity than previously expected. While Saturday remains the peak of the heatwave (34°C), the race on Sunday is increasingly likely to be a “wet” event or even subject to lightning delays.
The FIA is considering various options, in line with Miami state law regarding lightning in the vicinity of sporting events. The law states that if lightning is detected within eight miles of the Hard Rock Stadium, all outdoor activity must be suspended immediately.
Contingency plans include changes to the start time of the 57-lap race, which is due to get underway at 9pm UK time (4pm local time).
If there are bouts of heavy rain, the track should at least dry up quickly, with temperatures expected to hit the high 20s. An FIA spokesperson said: “We are closely monitoring the weather forecast for this weekend.
“Having faced a similar situation last year in Miami with threats of thunderstorms, we have a contingency plan in place and will activate it if needed to minimise disruption to the on-track programme.”
One potential scenario could see the start of the race brought forward to avoid the worst of the weather, as happened at the 2024 Brazilian Grand Prix.
There are plans in place in case the Miami Grand Prix is hit by thunderstorms (Image: Getty)
The race will not be able to run if the medical helicopter is grounded. Lightning or severe turbulence from a thunderstorm cell automatically grounds the helicopter, meaning the FIA must red-flag the session even if the track itself looks “driveable.”
In the event of a red flag, the race would be restarted once conditions improve. A full cancellation of the Grand Prix is seen as unlikely at this stage.
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Meanwhile, Norris will start Saturday’s 19-lap sprint from the front of the grid after beating Mercedes’ championship leader Kimi Antonelli by 0.222 seconds, with Oscar Piastri lining up third in the second McLaren ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc in fourth.
Mercedes had dominated the first three Grands Prix of the season, winning every race and comfortably clinching a one-two in every full and sprint qualifying session. But, after a five-week break since Antonelli won the Japanese Grand Prix on March 29 – due to the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabia races – Mercedes found their grip broken on the roads around Hard Rock Stadium.
Norris and McLaren are back on form in Miami (Image: Getty)
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Leclerc looked to have the edge throughout qualifying but Norris pulled it out of the bag on the final soft-tyre run and Antonelli’s impressive lap was not enough to topple him. Mercedes’ George Russell struggled for pace and will line up sixth, behind Max Verstappen in fifth.
Lewis Hamilton could manage only seventh for Ferrari. Norris trails Antonelli by 47 points in the early championship standings, having not started the Chinese Grand Prix due to a mechanical failure.
Miami holds good memories for Norris, having been the scene of his first Grand Prix victory back in 2024. The 26-year-old is happy and relieved to be back fighting at the front, calling it a “perfect way for me to start the weekend.”
He said: “This track has always been good to us, we knew the upgrades we were bringing was going to hopefully do a good step and it has. Since the first lap today I felt comfortable.”