Zak Mauger/Motorsport Images
Top three praise ‘amazing’ Miami F1 debut
The Miami Grand Prix got a thumbs-up from the top three finishers, with Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc calling it an “amazing” event.
After a number of years in the planning stages, the first race took place around the Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium in front of a sell-out crowd, drawing in A-list celebrities such as Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Michelle Obama, Serena Williams and LeBron James. While the track layout itself came in for constructive criticism, the podium finishers were impressed with the event as a whole.
“I think it was an incredible atmosphere,” Verstappen said. “I mean, it was really incredibly well organized. Really nice to see that. It’s not easy to put an event on like this. But yeah, they did an amazing job, and I had a lot of fun, driving around.
“I think track-wise, we can improve a few areas. But I have say in the race, I think Sector 1 was quite fun. I do think Sector 2… would have been nice if it could have been a bit faster and flowing for an F1 car like we have right now. You know: super long, heavy, wide. The [Turn] 14-15 chicane is a bit of a tricky combination.
“And if it means more, I mean it's another 25 or 26 points, right? It's a nice venue, that's for sure, but still you know you have the same amount of points what you can gain.”
A perfect setting, but the track could still do with some modifications, according to the race protagonists. Steve Etherington/Motorsport Images
Leclerc echoed Verstappen’s sentiments, after a race that saw huge amounts of activations throughout the weekend.
“Yeah, the atmosphere was incredible,” Leclerc agreed. “It’s great to see how much interest the sport has got in the last few years. And yeah, organization was great. Loads of people, good weather. So yeah, it was amazing to be here.”
After finishing third, Carlos Sainz said the event itself doesn’t need any improvements, but the track can be modified to provide an even more exciting race for fans.
“I think it was a mega event, put together… not easy on the first event to put such a well-organized venue,” Sainz said. “So many people coming, so many people in the paddock… for me the paddock was incredibly full!
“It was crazy. So yeah, congrats. I look forward to coming back here in the future. And I think, between FIA and ourselves, we can do a better job with the tarmac, we can do a better job with some corner combinations, and we can put together an even better show in the future.”
Chris Medland
While studying Sports Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire, Chris managed to talk his way into working at the British Grand Prix in 2008 and was retained for three years before joining ESPN F1 as Assistant Editor. After three further years at ESPN, a spell as F1 Editor at Crash Media Group was followed by the major task of launching F1i.com’s English-language website and running it as Editor. Present at every race since the start of 2014, he has continued building his freelance portfolio, working with international titles. As well as writing for RACER, his broadcast work includes television appearances on F1 TV and as a presenter and reporter on North America's live radio coverage on SiriusXM.
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