Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix is at risk of immediate stoppage – and potentially even being unable to run – if forecast lightning and thunderstorms hit the race.
Current official forecasts predict that thundery showers are due to hit the Hard Rock stadium area around 4pm local time – which is exactly when the race is scheduled to begin.
And while the rain itself could be a headache alone for allowing the event to go ahead - with the earlier F1 Academy race (pictured above) being aborted because of bad weather - a bigger issue comes from lightning.
The Miami Grand Prix has to operate under local law, and that means that it has to comply with its lightning safety plan that comes into play.
The Miami GP's official policies state: “When lightning is detected in close proximity of the Miami International Autodrome, the public address system will inform guests where to seek shelter. The event will be suspended if there is an imminent threat.”
Advisory information from the National Weather Service regarding sporting events in the event of such extreme weather conditions states: “If thunderstorms are forecast, organisers should consider cancelling or postponing the activity or event.”
The guidance states that there are certain circumstances under which events should be stopped.
They are if lighting can be seen, if thunder can be heard or even if the skies look threatening.
In the event of a lightning event, the guidance is for everyone to go inside – which would force the F1 race to be red-flagged and marshals and spectators to find shelter.
The National Weather Service states: “There is no place outside that is safe when a thunderstorm is in the area. Stop the activity immediately and get to a safe place immediately. Substantial buildings with wiring and plumbing provide the greatest amount of protection.”
It subsequently advises that activities should not be resumed for at least half an hour.
“Because electrical charges can linger in clouds after a thunderstorm has seemingly passed, experts agree that people should wait at least 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming outdoor activities,” adds the NWS.
What will happen?
The FIA notified teams on Sunday morning of the procedures that would come into play if there was even a “risk of lightning strike at or around the circuit”.
In order to comply with demands that personnel ‘shelter in place’, the FIA said that if lighting arrives:
· The race will be suspended in accordance with Article 57 of the Sporting Regulations, all cars must return to the pitlane and stop in the fast lane as described in Article 57.2.
· Once all cars have returned to the pitlane, 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 pitlane 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. At such time, under the direct supervision and instruction of the FIA Technical Delegate or their representative:
· Each team will be instructed, in turn, to push their car(s) into the fast lane such that cars may be arranged in the fast lane in accordance with the published restart order.
· Once all cars included in the restart order are arranged in the fast lane, any car not included in the restart order will be released from their garage and may line up at the back of the queue of cars in the fast lane in the order they get there.
· 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 10 minutes warning will be given.
Beyond the above, the FIA added procedures for what happens if the lightning arrives during the start procedure:
· The start will be delayed in accordance with Article 46 of the Sporting Regulations.
· Teams will be informed using the official messaging system that all cars, on the grid or at the end of the pitlane, must be pushed from their location and returned to the teams’ garages. Garage doors must remain open until otherwise instructed.
· Once the Race Director is satisfied it is safe to resume the starting procedure, Teams will be informed using the official messaging system that cars must be pushed from their garage and returned to their allocated grid positions. Cars that were returned to their garage from the end of the pit lane may be pushed back to the end of the pit lane and must line up in the order they were in when the delayed start was announced.
· When all cars have been returned to the grid, or to the end of the pit lane, the starting procedure will begin again at the 10 minute signal.
