Miami GP cancellation fears emerge days before F1 return

Concerns have been raised over whether the Miami Grand Prix will go ahead as planned on Sunday, it is being reported.

Formula 1 returns after a five-week absence this weekend, following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix due to the conflict between Iran and both the United States and Israel.

Miami, therefore, is set to be the venue for a host of car upgrades that teams have been able to work on during that break.

Ferrari, for instance, are set to introduce a revised floor and potentially debut their 'Macarena' rear wing - which pivots and rotates when active aerodynamics are applied - for the first time in a race setting.

Read more: Every upgrade Ferrari will bring to Miami GP following 'secret test'

Aston Martin and Honda, meanwhile, have completed extensive work to improve the reliability of their engine, with Honda chief Shintaro Orihara claiming they are 'on the right track'.

Miami has been assigned as a sprint weekend, with sprint qualifying due to take place on Friday at 4:30pm local time before the sprint takes place on the Saturday.

But there are major concerns over the viability of Sunday's Grand Prix.

Miami GP race 'could be in doubt'

While Saturday is predicted to go off without a hitch, there are severe thunderstorms forecast for the area of Miami throughout most of Sunday.

Local outlet NBC 6 South Florida forecast 'mostly sunny' conditions early in the day, before 'scattered thunderstorms' are due to develop later on.

The Weather Channel, meanwhile, note that thunderstorms are 'likely' during the day, with a 90 per cent chance of rain, while Accuweather specifically state that 'rain and thunderstorms could impact the race'.

F1's official website only has the chance of rain at 30 per cent, though states that winds of up to 36km/h are expected alongside 'possible showers'.

Last season's Miami Grand Prix was won by McLaren's Oscar Piastri (Image: Getty)

The FIA has strict rules in relation to lightning near the circuit, with races immediately suspended if conditions mean that the medical helicopter cannot operate.

The Race Director can declare a 'Rain Hazard' up to two hours before the Grand Prix to signal low grip conditions if the risk of rain is set at over 40 per cent.

It could be decided that the race is held on Saturday instead, though that would require rescheduling the weekend and it is unknown as to whether officials would be prepared to make that decision so far out from the Grand Prix.

A similar issue hit the Miami circuit on race day last year, with the F1 Academy race - held hours before the main Grand Prix - having to be cancelled due to severe weather conditions.

A formation lap had been held under the safety car but drivers immediately reported grip problems, with several sliding off the circuit and struggling with poor visibility.

There were concerns over the F1 Grand Prix on that occasion, too, though the forecasted thunderstorms ultimately missed the circuit and the race was ran in dry conditions.