Lionel Messi is one of many high-profile names at the Miami Grand Prix after the soccer icon was seen arriving for the race with wife Antonella and their three sons.
The F1 showpiece is set to take place three hours earlier than planned on Sunday, with race chiefs moving it forward from 4pm ET to 1pm amid the threat of a potential thunderstorm later in the day.
Less than two hours out from the earlier start, Messi and his family were spotted making their way into Miami International Autodrome among a host of A-list stars.
At one stage the Argentina World Cup winner, who is currently in his fourth season with Inter Miami, posed for a snap with actress Maia Reficco – the girlfriend of Alpine driver Franco Colapinto.
Messi is not the only sporting legend in attendance for Sunday’s race, with tennis great Rafael Nadal also set to take in the F1 action.
Nadal was seen chatting with Spanish drivers Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz at the Autodrome, as well as LIV Golf star Jon Rahm.
Lionel Messi and wife Antonella (left) pose with Formula One star Franco Colapinto, his girlfriend Maia Reficco and their three sons at the Miami Grand Prix
Jimmy Fallon (left) and DJ Khaled (right) were also spotted at the F1 showpiece on Sunday
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Messi’s close friend and Inter teammate Luis Suarez also turned up with his wife Sofia Balbi, while Heat basketball player Bam Adebayo was seen walking the grid before the race.
A number of non-sporting celebrities are also at the Miami Grand Prix, including late-night talk show host Jimmy Fallon and rapper DJ Khaled.
But there was no sign of reality star Kim Kardashian, despite her blossoming romance with Lewis Hamilton.
F1 bosses have taken the unusual precaution of moving Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix forwards to avoid a forecast thunderstorm washing the race away.
A statement from the FIA, Formula One and Miami Grand Prix confirmed: ‘The decision has been taken to move the start of Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix to 1pm in Miami.
‘This decision has been taken to ensure the least amount of disruption to the race, and to ensure the maximum possible window to complete the Grand Prix in the best conditions and to prioritise the safety of drivers, fans, teams and staff.’
The decision was taken between the governing FIA and Formula One Management, the sportsman owners, after qualifying on Saturday night.
Soccer icon Messi is one of several A-list names in attendance for the Miami Grand Prix
Tennis great Rafael Nadal was also seen arriving at Miami International Autodrome for the race
Messi’s good friend and Miami teammate Luis Suarez was on the grid with wife Sofia Balbi
Heat basketball star Bam Adebayo posed with a Red Bull car before the race got underway
The risk of thunderstorms is particularly relevant in Florida, where state law decrees that major events must be postponed or cancelled if lightning strikes.
With that predicted from 3pm, the teams were informed of the decision to move it forward, which they were happy to comply with.
It would have been a major dilemma for the sport had rain forced the race at the Hard Rock Stadium to be called off after the last two rounds, in Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, were cancelled amid the conflict in the Middle East.
Organizers were also keen to avoid a repeat of the debacle of the Belgian Grand Prix five years ago when rain poured down relentlessly and only two laps were staged behind the safety car.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes started in pole position, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen second on the grid and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc third.
