We’re going to Miami! Formula 1 will hit Florida for the first time since 1959 next weekend. The glittering metropolis becomes the venue for another US race. The route around the city’s football stadium features full-throttle passages and a surprising eye-catcher. This in turn causes scorn and ridicule among F1 fans.
Formula 1 action in the sunshine state. Driving is on the 5.41-kilometer Miami International Autodrome around the Hard Rock Stadium. The Miami Dolphins, the NFL club in the metropolis, usually play there.
The data: The car park slope was developed by the company “Apex Circuit Design” from Great Britain. Driving is counter-clockwise.
The F1 drivers can reach speeds of up to 320 km/h on the 1.28 km long straight. On average, the makers expect a speed of 217 km/h. Three DRS zones should provide the foundation for overtaking battles.
Monaco “Feeling” in Miami
In addition to the long full-throttle straight, the focus is on turns 13 to 16 in Miami Gardens. There is a technically challenging area under the entrances and exits of the city’s toll highway (Florida Turnpike).
The eye-catcher is probably the imitation yacht harbor along the route. Originally, the route was supposed to lead past the ocean. Complaints from residents prevented the plans. This is how the course around the stadium was created (residents complained there too – in vain). And since there is no real body of water there, the organizers have actually built a small fake harbor, complete with ships. That’s where the VIP guests sit. Pictures of the dummy port caused a lot of merriment on the Internet, sayings and photo montages, true to the motto: A route makes too much of Monaco.
Accordingly, it is not surprising that the prices are similar to the race on the Cote d’Azur. Ticket prices for the race start at 450 euros. A total of around 80,000 spectators are expected.
Eleventh station of Formula 1 in the USA
The city in Florida has been the eleventh venue in the USA for Formula 1 since the first World Cup in 1950. So far, the premier class drove in Riverside/California, Sebring/Florida, Watkins Glen/New York, Long Beach/California, Las Vegas/Nevada, Detroit/Michigan, Dallas/Texas, Phoenix/Arizona, Indianapolis/Indiana and Austin/Texas. In 2023, Las Vegas will celebrate its comeback on the route calendar.