Not just rain, the other risk of the Miami GP is lightning: this is how the US protocol works

Formula 1, which has been at a standstill for five weeks due to the cancellations of races in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia due to war, now finds itself facing the potential threat of the weather in Miami, with possible very heavy downpours expected for Sunday which could even lead – in extreme cases – to the change of the starting time of the Grand Prix. But the rain will not be the Circus’s only opponent this weekend: in the United States, in fact, lightning is a big problem for any event organized outdoors. For safety reasons, in fact, if lightning strikes within a certain radius of km around the location of a certain event, this must be immediately suspended for at least half an hour, after which the situation is re-evaluated. This is a little-known protocol in Europe and in fact F1 is forced to apply only for races held on American soil. Those who are passionate about American motorsport, however, know these rules very well because it is not uncommon for IndyCar and especially NASCAR races to be postponed, sometimes even for a day, due to situations linked to bad weather and ‘stops’ of at least half an hour due to lightning falling in the area – sometimes even without rain – are not that uncommon. In the specific case of the Miami GP, the protocol therefore provides that any lightning that strikes within a radius of 13 km from the Miami International Autodrome will lead to the immediate suspension of the event. If this happened during the race, it would be immediately suspended for at least half an hour, after which, as mentioned, the situation would have to be re-evaluated. If more lightning strikes during the half-hour break, the count will start again from zero until 30 consecutive minutes have passed without lightning. During the stop period all cars must return to the pit lane and teams are allowed to push them into the garages, according to a rule specific to racing in the United States, unlike in other regions where cars must remain in the pit lane fastlane. Obviously then – but this is the only point that does not change compared to races held in other countries – the session cannot take place if the medical helicopter is unable to take off due to weather conditions.

Automobile Magazine – F1 English News
2026-05-02 03:12:00