Risk of rain for the Miami Grand Prix
The Miami Grand Prix is scheduled for the same dates as its first appearance on the Formula 1 calendar in 2022. However, the weather conditions could be different.
One week after the Azerbaijan Grand Prix filled a one-month gap, the drivers will move on to the Miami Grand Prix. If the race takes place on the same weekend as last season, the weather conditions are likely to be different.
Already flooded recently due to heavy rains that hit the Miami region at the beginning of April, the second edition of the Florida GP could be run with a few drops on the drivers’ visors. If not more.
The layout of the Miami International Autodrome, built near the Hard Rock Stadium, was criticized last year by drivers for its low level of grip. For the 2023 edition, a new asphalt has been laid, which should provide more grip. If the ambient temperatures are sufficiently high, those of the track could be even higher because the new layer is darker than the old one. The layout has also been jet washed, further increasing its abrasiveness and potentially resulting in very high temperatures for the tires.
66% chance of rain for the race
When the single-seaters take to the track for the first time at 2pm local time on Friday, the organizers expect it to be the hottest moment of the day with a forecasted temperature of 30°C. A westward wind of 20 km/h is also expected. It will be head-on for the drivers in the first fast section of the circuit, between turns 8 and 11. They will then have it at their back in the second straight line between turns 15 and 16.
The air temperature should only drop by one or two degrees by the start of the second free practice session at 5:30 PM, with equally strong winds.
The weather reports predict similar temperatures and slightly weaker winds from the same direction for the third session, which will take place at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.
There is also a risk of rain for the qualifying session, scheduled at 4pm local time. On Sunday, the start of the Grand Prix is once again planned for 3:30pm to be the hottest part of the day. Drivers can expect to benefit from better grip conditions with the new asphalt.
However, Sunday’s forecasts also bring a much higher risk of rain. According to the latest predictions, it could reach 66% in the region, and therefore could announce the arrival of rain before the race and the first wet Grand Prix of the 2023 season.
