Formula One's Miami Grand Prix will start three hours ahead of schedule on Sunday after organisers moved the race forward to avoid an expected heavy thunderstorm, as teenager Kimi Antonelli secured pole position for the third race in a row.
The FIA, commercial rights holder Formula One Management, and local promoters jointly announced that the race would begin at 1pm local time (17:00 GMT) rather than the originally scheduled 4pm, citing forecasts of severe thunderstorms and lightning expected later in the afternoon. The decision was driven in part by a local regulation that prohibits outdoor events from continuing whenever lightning is detected within 13 kilometres of the venue — a scenario that would force an immediate suspension and require a 30-minute clear period before racing could resume. Organisers said the earlier start was intended