Miami Grand Prix: Preview

Plans to add a second grand prix in the United States have been several years in the making, with Miami, Florida, eventually pinpointed as the desirable location. After further discussions the area around the Hard Rock Stadium, in Miami Gardens, was selected. 

Hard Rock Stadium is the home of NFL’s Miami Dolphins, Miami Hurricanes soccer team and tennis’ Miami Open, and has hosted the prestigious Super Bowl on six occasions, most recently in 2020. 

The Miami International Autodrome can now be added to the Hard Rock Stadium’s impressive sporting portfolio, with Formula 1’s Miami Grand Prix contracted through the next decade. Miami’s round comes in addition to the annual United States Grand Prix, at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas, which will take place in October, marking the first time since 1984 that two rounds have been held in the country. 

Miami International Autodrome will also become the 11th different venue to host Formula 1 in the United States, more than any other country in the world.  

The 5.41km 19-turn wall-lined circuit, named the Miami International Autodrome, utilizes the land on the Hard Rock Stadium campus. The circuit has been designed in conjunction with Formula 1 officials in order to create the best fast and flowing layout, as well as offering maximum opportunities for racing, with three DRS zones located around the track. 

The start/finish line and pit lane will be located adjacent to the Hard Rock Stadium, where the likes of Taylor Swift, The Rolling Stones and U2 once played, and which will now reverberate to the sound of Formula 1 machinery. Formula 1 is ready to thrive in ‘The 305’.

Guenther Steiner – Team Principal of Haas F1 Team

Another points scoring race weekend for the team last time out, with Kevin finishing inside the top-eight in the Sprint and collecting two points for ninth in the grand prix. Having now seen the car perform in all weather conditions, where would you rank its strengths and weaknesses?

“I don’t think there any particular strengths or weaknesses, I think the car is pretty good all round. Obviously, in the main race in Imola, we were not performing as we would’ve wished so we need to look into the data and see how maybe we can get the tires to work better and go again. I think the car in general is pretty good, we just have to keep on working hard and getting more points.”

 

Formula 1 heads to the Magic City for the newest addition to the calendar – the Miami Grand Prix. Have you visited the city before, what do you know about Miami and what are you looking forward to this week?

“Unfortunately, I’ve never visited Miami itself, but I’ve been to Homestead-Miami Speedway before. I know it’s a pretty cool city, and I would like to have time to visit but I think we will be very busy over the whole weekend with a lot of things going on – having an exciting race and an exciting show. So, I must postpone getting to know the city until a later date, maybe when I stop working in racing.”

Races in America are becoming as much about the show as they are about the main event. As a Team Principal of the only American team in Formula 1, does it feel different when Haas F1 Team races in its homeland?

“It’s always exciting to race at home and now having a second race in Miami, it’s even more exciting and it’s closer to our base in North Carolina. Having a show around the racing is a great addition and the combination of both makes it more valuable to the sport, but the main event is always the racing.”

 

The anticipation for this race is at an all-time high – from a business standpoint, how important is it for Formula 1 to race in locations like Miami and have you seen the impact from a partnership perspective?

“Yes, I’ve seen the impact. We’ve got a lot more interest for partnerships, for sponsorship and it has risen quite a lot. Now, we can take a little bit of time to go through and see how it develops but for sure, having the race in Miami and adding a race in Las Vegas next year, a third race in the States, will help all of this. We’re in no hurry but the sport is in a good place at the moment.”