F1 Miami Grand Prix Qualifying Delayed After FIA Announcement Amid Sprint R… read more
The FIA has officially confirmed a delay to the start of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix qualifying session following a chaotic and weather-disrupted sprint race on Saturday. Initially scheduled to begin at 4:00 PM local time, qualifying has now been pushed back by 15 minutes and will commence at 4:15 PM instead. The delay comes as a direct result of earlier issues during the sprint race, which itself was postponed due to heavy rain and challenging track conditions.
The sprint race at the Miami International Autodrome faced a significant delay, with the scheduled start postponed by 30 minutes because of persistent rain and poor visibility. The cars completed a couple of formation laps in tricky conditions before a red flag was deployed, halting the proceedings altogether. Drivers struggled to maintain control on the slick surface, even while driving at reduced speeds. The wet conditions wreaked havoc not only on the sprint but also on the entire day’s racing schedule.
The impact of the sprint race delays has extended into the rest of the event’s timetable, including F1’s flagship qualifying session. The revised schedule has also affected support series running alongside Formula 1 in Miami. Notably, the start of the F1 Academy race has been pushed back to 3:45 PM, creating a knock-on effect that necessitated the 15-minute delay to F1 qualifying. With multiple events sharing track time and safety considerations paramount, the FIA made the decision to slightly stagger the sessions to accommodate the disrupted flow of the day.
One of the key beneficiaries of the delay is Charles Leclerc, who will now have additional time to regroup and potentially repair his car following a major incident before the sprint race even began. The Ferrari driver suffered a crash during the initial formation laps due to aquaplaning on his intermediate tyres. Despite exercising caution, Leclerc lost control of his car and slid straight into the barriers, causing damage to his rear wing. As a result, he was unable to take part in the sprint race and will be looking to bounce back strongly in the main qualifying session.
Leclerc’s misfortune contrasted sharply with the performance of his team-mate Lewis Hamilton, who delivered a solid drive to finish third in the sprint. The seven-time world champion capitalized on a well-timed pit stop and a late safety car period to secure a podium finish. Hamilton had pitted early, and the subsequent neutralization of the race worked in his favor, allowing him to gain positions while others scrambled for strategy changes. It marked a strong performance for Hamilton, who has been seeking to find consistent form throughout the 2025 season.
While Hamilton celebrated a podium, reigning world champion Max Verstappen endured a frustrating sprint race marred by a pit lane incident. Verstappen was handed a 10-second time penalty after an unsafe release during his pit stop led to contact with Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli. The penalty significantly affected Verstappen’s final result, pushing him to the back of the field. He ultimately finished last among the 17 classified drivers, a rare and humbling outcome for the typically dominant Dutchman.
The combination of unpredictable weather, strategic gambles, and on-track incidents turned the Miami sprint into one of the most chaotic sessions of the season so far. With the main qualifying session still ahead and teams facing rapidly changing conditions, the remainder of the weekend promises further drama. The Miami circuit, known for its tight corners and limited overtaking opportunities, becomes even more treacherous in the wet, demanding peak performance and flawless execution from drivers and teams alike.
As fans wait for qualifying to get underway, all eyes will be on how the drivers adapt to the delayed schedule and what strategies unfold in the wake of the disrupted sprint. With the Miami Grand Prix shaping up to be a true test of skill and adaptability, the rest of the weekend remains wide open—offering a golden opportunity for surprise results and shakeups in the championship standings.
