Miami Grand Prix start time CHANGED + final GRID
· The South African
The Miami Grand Prix will start three hours earlier than planned due to a forecast of extreme weather including potential thunderstorms, officials said Saturday.
The decision to bring forward the start time to 13:00 local time (19:00 SA time) was made on the eve of the race by the sport’s governing body FIA, along with commercial rights holders and local promoters.
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Weather forecast
Organisers acted “due to the weather forecast that is expected to bring heavier rainstorms later in the afternoon close to the original planned race start time,” they said in a statement.
“This decision has been taken to ensure the least amount of disruption to the race, and to ensure the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions and to prioritise the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff.”
Mercedes’ championship-leading teenager Kimi Antonelli will start in pole position, after he resisted a late charge by Red Bull’s four-time champion Max Verstappen in Saturday’s qualifying session.
Charles Leclerc was third quickest in his Ferrari while world champion Lando Norris, who won the weekend’s sprint race, will start his McLaren from fourth in Sunday’s grid.
Starting grid for Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix after qualifying on Saturday:
1st row
Kimi Antonelli (ITA/Mercedes)
Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull)
2nd row
Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari)
Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren)
3rd row
George Russell (GBR/Mercedes)
Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Ferrari)
4th row
Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren)
Franco Colapinto (ARG/Alpine)
5th row
Isack Hadjar (FRA/Red Bull)
Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine)
6th row
Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Audi)
Liam Lawson (NZL/Racing Bulls)
7th row
Oliver Bearman (GBR/Haas)
Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Williams)
8th row
Esteban Ocon (FRA/Haas)
Alexander Albon (THA/Williams)
9th row
Arvid Lindblad (GBR/Racing Bulls)
Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin)
10th row
Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin)
Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Cadillac)
11th row
Sergio Perez (MEX/Cadillac)
Gabriel Bortoleto (BRA/Audi)