The Miami Grand Prix could turn into chaos. Severe storms are directly threatening Sunday’s race.
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The Miami Grand Prix, the fourth round of the 2026 F1 calendar, could well offer a completely unpredictable scenario for the start of the 2026 F1 season. While the conditions were expected to be typical for Florida, the latest forecasts now indicate a serious risk of severe storms at the very time of the race.
According to current models, significant storm cells are expected to hit Miami as early as Sunday morning, before persisting throughout the afternoon. A critical timing, since the start is scheduled for 4 p.m. local time, right in the middle of this instability window.
A massive disturbance approaching
This weather system does not come out of nowhere. Formed earlier in the week near the Rockies, close to Denver, it is gradually crossing the United States towards the East Coast, sweeping through several southern states before reaching Florida.
Upon reaching Miami, these storms could be particularly intense, with heavy rains likely to radically change track conditions. In this type of situation, strategy becomes an absolute headache for teams, between intermediate tires, wet tires, and a quick return to dry.
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This scenario is not theoretical. In 2025, the sprint race held in Miami was already disrupted by storms, causing a delayed start under a red flag. That day, Charles Leclerc was even caught out before the start, a victim of aquaplaning during his formation lap.
Nevertheless, the track dried quickly, allowing a return to slick tires at the end of the race. A perfect example of the extreme volatility of conditions in Florida, where a shower can change everything… then disappear within minutes.
A contrasting weekend before the chaos
While Sunday looks uncertain, the rest of the weekend should take place under much more stable conditions. Free practice, sprint qualifying, and the main qualifying session are expected to be held in warm and dry weather, with temperatures exceeding 30°C.
This contrast could trap teams, forced to prepare setups optimized for dry… before having to urgently readjust everything if rain arrives on race day. One thing is certain: if the storms materialize, Miami could offer one of the most unpredictable Grands Prix of the season.
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