Was The Miami Grand Prix Really Worth All The Hype? 

Dont get me wrong, I love myself a United States Grand Prix… 

Formula 1 has always been a sport surrounded by the glitz, glamour, and elegance of European countries. In the modern era, the pinnacle of motorsport has been keen to expand in the United States, but it was a hard task to move in a subtle way into the North American realm. And if Formula 1 are clever, which they are, they know that if they are willing to get their name out there, and to appeal to a certain market, the United States market should be at the top of their list. For a while now, the U.S. has had one Grand Prix in America which has been held at Austin, Texas at the Circuit of the Americas. Yet, it was the rise of Netflix’s: Drive To Survive that somehow drew in more American fans. Since the show first started in 2018, Formula 1’s meteoric rise hasnt been able to slow down, and over the past few weeks we have seen something that has never struck in Formula 1’s history. 

Formula 1 has been able to seep and crack through into the extravagant United States environment. To do this, Formula 1 has created a special partnership with Netflix and their documentary/reality show, Drive To Survive. Although, to be of interest to American fans, Formula 1 has had to shift their personalities and become much more flamboyant. During the 2021 and 2022 season, they have announced that they are looking to expand in the United States, and they are doing so by having races held in the vibrant city of Miami and vivacious city of Las Vegas. Two of the most recognizable places in the country. These choices Formula 1 went towards to would bring in a lot of publicity and a lot of money. The Miami Grand Prix circuit is a street circuit built around the home of the Miami Dolphins NFL team, the Hard Rock Stadium. In the stadium’s parking lot, Formula 1 was able to create an actual paddock, entertainment-filled, fun in every corner, venue that went around the 3.363 mi (5.41 kilometers) long track. With a fake marina, buildings stacked with activities, and celebrities grazing the paddock, the crowd was drawn to the party side of this race. It was the environment, the teams, the drivers, the hype, that won a lot of people over. There has never been anything like this in the United States, and definitely in Formula 1. 

Whether it was commercials on television, or constant reminders on Social Media, wherever you went you could not escape from hearing about the highly awaited Miami Grand Prix. And it is true, this has been the biggest build up ever for a Formula 1 Grand Prix, from a business and marketing point of view this race is phenomenal for the sport. But was the build up worth the hype? 

Ferrari and Charles showed their hands this entire weekend, pushing the limits on the tricky and twisty track that is the Miami circuit. Notwithstanding the fact that Carlos Sainz was in the concrete wall during practice, the Spaniard was able to regain his flare, and redeem himself on Saturday and Sunday. Turn 11 through 16 are, though, tough for the drivers to not overdrive their cars through that unmanageable section. It seems as every corner and every straight narrows and tightens up as it goes along, and this can restrict drivers from overtaking, but many critical overtakes were done throughout the race. The most critical being when Max Verstappen snatched the lead effortlessly from pole sitter Charles Leclerc. The rest of the race was a strategic and pit stop battle between the teams in the midfield and the back runners. The Monégasque driver followed the rear of the that Red Bull and was able to gain on the reigning World Champion during the last seven laps. Yet, the provisional Championship leader was powerless in trying to take back the lead that was once his. 

Sainz followed his teammate in suit and was successful in holding back an angry Sergio Perez, who lost power at one point of the race. Only one yellow flag was taken out during the 57 laps around this bright and odd layout, Pierre Gasley ran wide and didnt notice Lando Norris on his side, they made contact and Norris went spinning into the wall. The Briton retired from the race as Mclarens’ weekend went from decent to bad. Daniel Ricciardo was running in the point places until his pit stop shot him down the grid to finish in a disappointing P11. There were some fights here and there between the Williams’, Aston Martins, and the HAAS’, Aston Martin started on the back foot due to a fuel issue. The team thankfully fixed the problem before lights out, but it meant both Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll had to start from the pit plane. The 4-time World champion did have to retire towards the end of the Grand Prix when him and Mick Schumacher had contact, spinning Vettel. Zhou was the first out of three drivers to retire with a mechanical issue early on in the GP. Overall, it was a quiet yet peculiar race. 

There is no doubt that it was an enjoyable build up, the environment and fun feeling is contagious, but when it counted the most, it was just a decent and quiet Grand Prix. Max Verstappen has the honor all to himself now to carry the name of the first ever driver to win the inaugural Miami Grand Prix. But what this race really stated and proved is how close this Championship fight between Charles and Max will be. Charles Leclerc still leads the Championship, but Verstappen is picking up the pieces one by one, trading punches with the Ferrari driver. Last time out in Imola Red Bull came out on top and this time out in Miami it was another strong result. Formula 1 entered Miami knowing that the sport would never be the same in the United States, and they left, leaving an impact in a place yet to conquer. 

DID YOU ENJOY THE 2022 MIAMI GRAND PRIX?

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