Will the Miami Grand Prix be suspended with thunderstorms around the region?

Miami Grand Prix

Will the Miami Grand Prix be suspended with thunderstorms around the region?

The Miami Grand Prix takes place this weekend!

By Sam Cook.

Wednesday 29 April 2026 21:02

Might the F1 Miami Grand Prix have to be suspended because of thunderstorms in the region?

F1 heads to the Miami International Autodrome this weekend for the fifth edition of the Miami GP, and it is also the first time F1 has seen a race weekend for five weeks, after the cancellation of both the Saudi Arabian and Bahrain Grands Prix.

F1 legend Martin Brundle has already described this weekend's race as 'one of the biggest relaunches in Formula 1 history', with tweaks having been made to the 2026 sporting regulations following just three race weekends of the new rules.

Article continues under video

And amid the excitement of seeing how all of the teams shape up following the spring break and no doubt hours spent on developing upgrade packages, the weather could also throw yet more unknowns into the mix.

There is currently a 30 per cent chance of rain falling for lights out on Sunday, which takes place at 4pm local time (9pm BST), while earlier in the day the threat is sat at around 60 per cent, meaning we will likely have at least a damp track for the start.

But beyond this, there are also thunderstorms currently forecast for Sunday's main race, amid scorching 31 degrees Celsius temperatures and high humidity levels. Accuweather state that there is a 35 per cent chance of thunderstorms on Sunday.

What happens to an F1 race in the event of thunderstorms?

With thunderstorms looming ahead of the May race, the FIA issued a statement about their protocol for such events.

They stated that the race would be suspended if there was a lightning strike that hit the circuit or its surrounding areas, and that they would guide all track personnel to a 'shelter in place' in a relevant location.

"In the event of lightning threatening the race, all cars must return to the pit lane and stop in the fast lane with teams then informed via the official messaging system that cars must be pushed from the fast lane and returned to their garages where the doors must remain open until otherwise instructed."

Last year's announcement then confirmed that only once the race director is satisfied it is safe to resume the race, no less than 18 minutes prior to the expected restart time, the restart order would be published.

This restart would be subject to change if other lightning strikes hit the circuit or the surrounding areas in the meantime.

F1 Miami Grand Prix