What happens if storms hit Miami Grand Prix?
3rd May 2026Storms are threatening to disrupt the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix and the FIA has confirmed the procedure if lightning strikes around the track.
Feature image credit: Pirelli
Ahead of the F1 weekend, it has been suspected that the resumption of the 2026 season could be a wet one. Rain has been expected for Sunday, after dry running on both Friday and Saturday, but there have been concerns due to pending thunderstorms.
The FIA recently confirmed the race weekend as a ‘rain hazard’ with weather forecasts showing more than a 40% chance of rain during the event. Thanks to the increased risk of lightning strikes, the FIA, F1 and Miami Grand Prix also adjusted the schedule, with the grand prix being brought forward to 1pm local time (6pm BST).
Following this, the FIA confirmed the process if lightning strikes the track or around the immediate area, which would be to follow a ‘shelter in place’ order. Such an order has already been declared ahead of the start of the grand prix, with the likes of Williams showcasing the poor weather conditions on social media at 7:40am local time.
The large TV inside the Hard Rock Stadium displayed the warning of poor weather conditions, confirming inclement weather was approaching that included lightning. So, what happens if the storm strikes during or around the F1 race?
During the Grid
If lightning strikes during the Grid procedure, the teams would be informed using the official messaging system. The alert would require all cars that are either on the grid or at the end of the pit lane to be pushed from their positions and into the respective team’s ‘designated garage area.’
The garage doors would be required to be left open, unless instructed otherwise, and all team personnel must leave the signalling area.
Once the conditions are given the all clear, the teams will be able to push their cars back to their allotted grid positions, and those who were at the pit exit must be pushed back there in the same order they were in at the initial alert.
When all of the cars are in position, on the grid or at the end of the pit lane, the start procedure would then begin at the 10-minute signal.
During the race
If the weather worsens during the grand prix, the race will be suspended, and the cars will be required to stop in the pit lane. When all of the cars have returned to the pit lane, the teams will be alerted of the shelter order, and they will be instructed to push the cars back into the garages.
Any repairs needed can be made by the team in the fast lane, in their garages or when the cars are returned to the fast lane prior to the race resumption.
When the conditions are good enough to resume racing, and no less than 20 minutes before the restart, the restarting order will be published, which will be such a time that the team personnel will be allowed to return to the signalling area.
Ahead of the restart, each team – in turn – will be instructed to push their car out into the pit lane, in accordance with the restart order. Any cars that are not included in the restart order will be released from their garage and will be allowed to line up at the back of the queue.
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Read more Formula 1 here:
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- Lando Norris beats Kimi Antonelli to sprint pole
- Charles Leclerc tops extended sole practice at Miami Grand Prix
- How F1 points are awarded if Miami Grand Prix is cancelled
- Storm threat raises risk of race disruption
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Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.
I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
Kamron Kent
Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.
