Heavy rain and thunderstorms forecast for Sunday have put the 2026 Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome under serious threat, with forecasts putting the chance of rain between roughly 70 percent and 88 percent and thunderstorm probability from about 53 percent up to 85 percent. AccuWeather and other forecasters used by teams show Friday and Saturday staying mostly dry, but rain and thunderstorms are expected to increase through Sunday afternoon ahead of the scheduled 4 p.m. start. Organizers and authorities warned that intense storms could prevent the mandatory FIA medical helicopter from flying, and under U.S. safety rules and OSHA-related obligations major outdoor events must be halted if lightning is imminent.

The forecast has prompted an operational response from race officials, teams and drivers. The FIA is closely monitoring conditions and has contingency plans ready, and drivers planned a meeting with the FIA to discuss possible schedule changes, including starting the race earlier on Sunday or, less likely, moving it to Saturday, a shift that would conflict with the Sprint and qualifying timetable. Teams are weighing tactical implications because the sprint-format weekend gives limited track time to adapt car setup and energy-deployment rules, and support categories could see disrupted running.

If a suspension is ordered before running, spectators would be directed to shelter and the medical helicopter would be grounded. If the race has already started, officials could deploy a red flag; a race-specific rule at the U.S. rounds allows teams to bring cars into garages and work on them during thunderstorm-related red flags rather than in the open pit lane, a change that could affect the timing of any restart. Drivers and team personnel expressed concern about handling the new cars in wet conditions, with Sergio Perez saying the situation was “looking really bad” and Oscar Piastri warning the newest cars will be difficult to handle in heavy rain and that few drivers have rain experience with them. Organizers also evoked safety lessons from the sport’s past, including the grounding of evacuation helicopters as a safety trigger after the fatal 2014 crash of Jules Bianchi and last year’s Miami Sprint delay and Charles Leclerc’s installation-lap crash when conditions deteriorated. With forecasts diverging and conditions liable to change rapidly, officials, teams and spectators will need to wait on updated weather information before the FIA confirms any schedule adjustment.