The threat of a rain-affected race in Florida is prompting Carlos Sainz to sound the alarm. The Williams driver is calling for urgent adjustments to ensure safety.
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The Miami Grand Prix weekend could turn uncertain. While the early sessions are expected to take place under blazing sun, Sunday looks set to be much more chaotic, with storms, heavy rain, and even a risk of lightning.
This unstable weather, typical of Florida, is already worrying the drivers. Conditions could change very quickly, making the track difficult to drive on at times. Despite FIA measures to limit disruptions, some believe this will not be enough.
Carlos Sainz is among those anticipating major complications, especially regarding safety and the behavior of the cars in these extreme conditions.
A power reduction deemed necessary
Faced with this scenario, the Spanish driver advocates for a clear technical change: reducing the electrical energy available during the race if it rains.
“Yes, it’s obviously on everyone’s mind what will happen if it rains. I have always thought that 350 kW is not necessary, and I hope we can find a way to reduce it to 250 or 300 kW for the race” he explains.
According to him, the current power of the cars becomes problematic on a wet track, especially due to loss of grip and high speeds on the straights. Reducing the energy would help limit risks without compromising the spectacle.
The problem of drainage and visibility
The concern is not only about power. Sainz also points out the very characteristics of the Miami circuit, known for being very flat, which promotes the formation of puddles.
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“As we saw last year, there is a lot of standing water on the straights. The track is very flat, water stays on the surface, and with the close walls and reduced visibility, it can become dangerous” he emphasizes.
These conditions had already disrupted the Sprint in 2025, reminding how tricky the circuit can become in the rain. Visibility, heavily reduced by water spray, is also a critical factor for the drivers.
Between spectacle and safety: a fragile balance
Despite these concerns, Sainz insists that drivers enjoy racing in the rain.
“Races in the rain are always fun. I’m the first to love it” he states, while reminding that enjoyment must never come before safety.
He also mentions some grey areas in the current regulations, especially regarding certain devices like the straight-line mode (SLM), whose effectiveness in wet conditions is questioned.
“There are several elements to analyze if the race is wet. We will have to discuss it during the drivers’ briefing to make everything clear” he concludes.
In an already uncertain weekend, these questions could heavily influence upcoming decisions… and the very course of the race.
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