Rendered image of Miami GP. Photo: TW @f1miami.
After Red Bull’s excellent performance in Imola, with Verstappen and “Checo” Pérez leading the race, next Sunday will be held the fifth race of the year in the Formula 1 calendar. And it’s not just any competition. the newcomer Miami Grand Prixwhich in recent weeks has been talked about for its innovative circuit and has received a lot of criticism due to the dilapidated amenities offered to guests at the facilities of Hard Rock Stadium: an artificial beach for mooring yachts, VIP grandstand sector and exclusive restaurants, among other luxuries.
In a country where the gaze of speed enthusiasts is always focused on such competitions IndyCar series and the nascarin recent years Formula 1 has generated great expectations, shown by the fact that tickets sold out in less than an hour despite their high price.
So trends, the United States is back to host two Grand Prix at the same time, something that hasn’t happened since 1984, when it was held in Detroit and Dallas. Next year it will expand to three with the addition of a night race in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Miami GP prepares with all the luxuries. REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo.
The American giant debuted in the top motorsports category in 1959 with the Indianapolis 500, but since then its presence has changed. However, since 2012 a new permanent circuit has been established, one in Austin, Texas, and interest in the competition has not stopped growing.
“It’s really amazing to see that we’ve been successful and that there’s a growing love for America.”noted British driver Lewis Hamilton, a seven -time world champion, who early in his career saw a “gap between America and the rest of the world in terms of lust.”
Along with Asia and the Middle East, it is currently one of the priority markets for the single-seater world championship. It is controlled by the American group Liberty Media, which acquired the commercial rights to the competition in 2017, ending the 40-year reign of Bernie Ecclestone of Britain.
Verstappen and Hamilton, 1st and 2nd at the 2021 Austin GP. Chris Graythen/Getty Images/AFP
Since then, the American company has focused on increase F1’s appeal to a younger audience, increasing its presence in the digital world and social networks. The Netflix series “Formula 1: Drive to Survive” (2019) collaborated on that search.
The result, audiences increased 54% in the 2021 season compared to the previous campaign: On average, from 500,000 spectators per race to approximately 934,000. The epic definition of the title between Verstappen and Hamilton in Abu Dhabi, with the escalation of the battle between Red Bull and Mercedes, was followed by nearly a million Americans.
This growth “has more important consequences than increasing the number of fans,” Lizzie Isherwood, of marketing agency CSM Sport & Entertainment, told SportBusiness.com. “From a commercial perspective, we see the proliferation of American brands in F1”He added.
The expert estimates that nearly 40% of the 127 sponsorship deals around F1 last year were with US -based brands. To spur these advances, they are also working hard to offer “Made in the USA” competitors.
Mario Andretti, the last American F1 champion. Photo: Archive
Currently, there is only one North American team, the Haas medium, which was last positioned in 2021, although this 2022 shows that it is competitive, benefiting from regulatory changes and the talent of get up Danish Kevin Magnussen. There are also no pilots representing the Stars and Stripes flag. The last title winner, beyond some participation without much luck, was Mario Andretti in 1978.
The family dynasty aims to return its name to top motorsport competition, as Michael Andretti, owner of the IndyCar team of the same name, seeks to add his team to the grid from 2024. Colton Herta, who in 2019 is the youngest winner in an IndyCar race, he could be the driver of choice for the team.
For now, Formula 1 is focused on offering a good show on Sunday at the Miami International Autodrome, a circuit built around Hard Rock Stadium, where personalities like Michael Jordan, David Beckham or Dwayne “The Rock “Johnson. .
Verstappen won at Imola, but Leclerc led the championship. Guglielmo Mangiapane/AP.
So, amid criticisms of being too pretentious, the “Hard Rock Beach Club” was built, with a controversial artificial beach where yachts will be moored and there will be a sector of pools and bars available to exclusive spectators. The final tickets, sold at the speed of the top cars, sold for approximately $ 5,000.
There, in addition, there will be musical performances with the participation of important figures of the artistic environment.
This Friday, when the runners conduct the first free practice, DJ Drew, DJ Germán Rodriguez and DJ Extreme will perform, while on Saturday, the day on which the classification will run, the presence of Gianluca Vacchi and Post will stand out. Malone. On Sunday Tiesto, The Chainsmokers and Maluma will play.
Miami Grand Prix days and times
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Friday, May 6
- Free training: 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm
- Free training: 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Saturday May 7
- Free training: 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm
- Classification: 17.00
Sunday May 9
- Race: 16.30
Source: Clarin