Weather remains the main focus at the F1 Miami Grand Prix

Miami Grand Prix Returns Amid Weather Concerns

Formula 1 is back this weekend with the Miami Grand Prix, after quite a lengthy break.

However, the return to action might be pretty challenging.

Weather has taken center stage during Thursday’s media day, as predictions indicate thunderstorms and heavy rainfall could disrupt Sunday’s main event. This uncertainty has stirred conversation among drivers about what might happen, and the sport is even contemplating the possibility of altering the weekend’s schedule.

Oscar Piastri shared his thoughts, saying, “It’s going to be interesting. I don’t think many drivers have worked with these cars in the rain before—maybe just a few during the shakedown in Barcelona. They definitely have some quirks, making them tricky to manage in wet conditions. And when it rains in Miami, it can be quite a bit, so we’re keeping an eye on it. Either way, it will be intriguing.”

Adding to the conversation, Sergio Perez from Cadillac mentioned, “I’ve heard the FIA is planning a meeting later to evaluate our situation on Sunday. We might see some changes to the weekend schedule, given that the forecast isn’t looking good.”

The FIA issued a statement on Thursday, emphasizing they are closely tracking the weather outlook. “Last year, we dealt with a similar storm threat in Miami. We have a contingency plan ready and will implement it as needed to lessen any disruption on the track,” a spokesperson noted.

Interestingly, last year’s event saw the second race of the F1 Academy canceled due to rain, and the F1 sprint race started under challenging weather, leading to Charles Leclerc crashing before the sprint began.

This Friday morning, forecasts suggest that showers are likely, with severe thunderstorms expected on Sunday morning and an 85% chance of rain, potentially resulting in as much as half an inch by the afternoon.

As Piastri mentioned, it’s tough because very few drivers have had the chance to experience this year’s cars in wet conditions. They’re still adjusting to the new rules that were altered during the extended break.

Kimi Antonelli, who leads the current championship for Mercedes, is among the few who have driven the new car in wet conditions. He described that experience as “tricky.”

“I drove the car at Silverstone during the shakedown when it was wet, and it was indeed very tricky,” Antonelli recalled. “With the recent changes, we’ve reduced the output to 250kW in wet conditions without boost, so that’s a step forward. It’s going to be tricky as there are many unknowns if we race in wet weather. We also need more tire blankets to help with temperatures since it’s hard to get the tires warmed up.”

Antonelli further commented, “If it turns into a thunderstorm as they suggest, we might not be getting on track for a while. It’s hard to predict how everything will unfold, especially since no one has really had the chance to use the intermediate tires, and that adds another level of uncertainty.”

Moreover, the FIA announced that drivers will not be able to use the new boost mode in anticipated wet conditions on Sunday.

The upcoming Sao Paulo Grand Prix might provide some insight into how F1 could manage its schedule. Again, due to bad weather prior to that race, qualifying was shifted from Saturday to Sunday, with the Grand Prix start time moved up by 90 minutes.