F1 Miami Grand Prix 2025 could be suspended due to lightning risk; FIA reveals protocol
The Formula One Miami Grand Prix 2025 could be suspended due to the risk of lightning, the FIA announced in a press release a couple of hours ahead of the race.
The FIA outlined the procedures it has in place in the event of a lightning risk at the Miami International Circuit.
“In accordance with local public safety standards, there is a possibility that the race can be suspended due to risk of lightning strike at or around the circuit, in order to facilitate all personnel to “shelter in place” in a relevant location,” the world motorsport governing body said.
Extremely wet weather conditions have hit the Miami track in the last few hours, forcing the cancellation of the F1 Academy support race.
Earlier on Saturday, the sprint race faced a minor delay and began behind a safety car due to unsafe track conditions after heavy showers lashed the region.
Safety procedures:
For the safe and orderly conduct of the event, the race will be suspended in accordance with Article 57 of the Sporting Regulations, and all cars must return to the pit lane and stop in the fast lane as described in Article 57.2.
Once all cars have returned to the pit lane, Teams will be informed using the official messaging system that cars must be pushed from the fast lane and returned to the teams’ garages. Garage doors must remain open until otherwise instructed.
For the avoidance of doubt, any car which was in their garage at the time the race was suspended, or that is moved from the fast lane to any other part of the pit lane without or prior to such instruction being given will be arranged at the back of the line of cars before the resumption in accordance with Article 57.3 or 57.5 respectively.
Whilst the cars are in the teams’ garage the provisions of Article 57.4 shall apply. For the avoidance of doubt, cars may be worked on once they have stopped in the fast lane, whilst they are positioned in the teams’ garage, or once they have returned to the fast lane prior to the resumption, but any such work is restricted to that listed in Articles 57.4b) i) to x) and must not impede the resumption of the race.
Once the Race Director is satisfied it is safe to resume the race, and no less than 18 minutes prior to the expected re-start time, the re-start order will be published.
Once all cars are arranged in the fast lane or have been given the opportunity to join the back of the queue in the fast lane, the resumption time will be announced using the official messaging system. In all cases at least ten (10) minutes warning will be given. From this point the race will be resumed in accordance with Article 58 of the Sporting Regulations.
If necessary, the FIA will also enact the ‘shelter in place’ procedures while the cars are on the grid during the race start.