Heavy rain threatens Miami GP as floods engulf the city

As the Formula 1 circus prepares to return to Miami for the second running of the Miami Grand Prix, torrential downpours have cast a shadow over the event, causing widespread flooding and bringing parts of the city to a standstill.

The heavy rain, which has persisted for three consecutive days, has left downtown streets impassable and stranded drivers, raising concerns about the upcoming race scheduled for May 7th.

CNN reported that Fort Lauderdale witnessed its rainiest day ever, with a 1-in-1,000-year rainfall event causing flash floods and prompting emergency rescues.

The city recorded 25.91 inches of rain in 24 hours, and the National Weather Service warned of further rainfall and potential tornadoes.

The flooding forced the closure of schools, the airport, and roads, and emergency crews worked continuously to respond to rescue calls.

Last year's inaugural Miami Grand Prix, which takes place on streets around the city's iconic Hard Rock Stadium, was not without its challenges.

Four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel notably drew attention to Miami's vulnerability to rising sea levels and flooding through a t-shirt he wore at the event.

The shirt read "Miami 2060 – 1st Grand Prix Underwater – Act Now or Swim Later."

In a somewhat ironic twist, the recent floods have also prevented officials and engineers from attending a conference on floodplain management in the city.

With less than a month until the high-octane spectacle of Formula 1 arrives in Miami for the fifth round of the 2023 season, preparations will need to be accelerated to ensure the event can go ahead as planned.