Miami Grand Prix Starts at 1 p.m. to Avoid Rain, Antonelli Takes Pole

*TL;DR: The Miami Grand Prix will begin at 1 p.m. local time, three hours earlier than planned, after officials shifted the start to avoid heavy rain; Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli secured pole position with Max Verstappen on the front row.

Context The weekend’s schedule was reshuffled after meteorologists warned of intense rainstorms expected in the afternoon. Organisers, the FIA (the sport’s governing body) and the Miami promoter agreed to move the race start from 4 p.m. to 1 p.m. to preserve a clear window for competition and maintain safety for drivers, teams and spectators.

Key Facts - The revised start time is 13:00 local, a three‑hour advance on the original slot. - The decision was announced jointly by the FIA, Formula 1 and the Miami Grand Prix promoter, citing the forecast as the primary driver. - Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position, posting the fastest qualifying lap. - Red Bull’s Max Verstappen qualified second, completing the front row. - The race will be broadcast live on AppleTV and F1 TV Pro.

What It Means Advancing the start reduces the risk of a weather‑induced interruption, which could have forced a shortened race or a complete postponement. A clear afternoon also benefits television audiences in key markets, preserving prime‑time viewership in Europe and the United States. Antonelli’s pole marks a notable achievement for the Mercedes rookie, positioning him ahead of the championship leader Verstappen and setting up a front‑row battle that could influence early points in the season.

The earlier start compresses the weekend’s ancillary events. Parking gates open at 7:30 a.m., the Formula 2 feature race runs at 9:25 a.m., and the driver’s parade begins at 11:00 a.m., leaving a tighter window for fan activities before the main race.

Looking Ahead All eyes will turn to race day to see whether the weather holds and how Antonelli and Verstappen manage the opening laps under the revised timetable. Future updates will focus on any further schedule tweaks and the impact on championship standings.