Coming Soon: Formula 1 Grand Prix Lights Up Miami For the First Week of May
It's been a long road for Miami in preparing for the big event next week. The entire city has worked
Ivy Griffith
It's been a long road for Miami in preparing for the big event next week. The entire city has worked together to create the perfect atmosphere for the inaugural race of Formula 1 in Miami, and it's the perfect time of year for it.
This time of year in Miami, the cool breezes of Winter are giving way to the warm salt air of Summer. Spring is just a word in Miami; it's here and gone before you know it. So for those tired of the Winter that won't end and eager to enjoy F1's arrival in South Florida, next week is the ideal culmination of work, planning, timing – and fun.
Here's a look at some of the events leading up to Grand Prix on May 8 and what you won't want to miss about the run-up to the big day.
Formula 1 Comes to Miami – and the City is Celebrating
The big day is almost here. On May 8, the new F1 track at Miami Gardens will welcome the Formula One Grand Prix – and all the excitement that comes with it.
When the Miami Gardens track was first announced in April of 2021, CELEB reported on the exciting news; "Formula One has struck a deal with Miami to bring the international racing to the white sand beaches of South Florida’s coast. The electric, modern, art deco city is welcoming the sport to its family of already accomplished sports; football, basketball, soccer, baseball, tennis and hockey. And NASCAR already has a presence in the vibrant city, but F1 adds a sophisticated flavor.
The advent of the F1 race in Miami is part of a 10-year deal and will start in 2022 in the form of a Grand Prix race at the Hard Rock Stadium Complex, home of the Miami Dolphins. The track being built will be 3.4 miles long, with 19 corners and three straights. The set-up provides opportunities for drivers to reach nearly 200 miles per hour.
Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) shares, 'The track—which will have a top speed of around 320km/h or 198mph—will have a street circuit vibe, similar to Melbourne’s stunning Albert Park that hosts the Australian Grand Prix, as the site is used for other purposes during other times.
However, the layout will be more akin to a permanent circuit. It’s predominantly flat, but there are some small undulations to the land, which designers have integrated into the circuit.'”
The advent of the F1 scene in Miami Gardens is a first for the racing elite; the first time the track is built – and the race is hosted in – a predominantly African-American community. Around 4,000 jobs are expected from the move, with 35,000 hotel bookings and an estimated $400M in revenue coming to the city.
To celebrate the huge collaboration between South Florida's nightlife mecca and the elite world of supercar racing, Miami is throwing wide their arms and welcoming locals and visitors alike.
It all officially starts with the opening night party May 4 on the tract. Kygo will take the stage, and F1 drivers and team leaders are expected to make an appearance. In addition, the city with the nightlife that never sleeps is hosting these events at private venues:
- Industry titans Tao Group Hospitality and STORY Nightclub have teamed up for a four-day event presented by Acura and the Integra of the future.
- Red Bull Guest House: With VIP guests like perhaps Max Verstappen, Red Bull is taking over the Faena Miami Beach Hotel for a three-day celebration.
- Miami Beach Club is hosting Big Race Weekend with DJ Snake, Gunna and Martin Garrix.
- At the Fontainebleau, Calvin Harris and David Guetta are headlining the Fontainebleau's Miami Race Nights series.
- The 72 Club: Nightlife king and Miami revitalizer David Grutman is hosting signature dishes from his award-winning Komodo, Swan, Papi Steak, SFC, Strawberry Moon and The Key Club throughout the weekend at The 72 Club.
- E11EVEN: Travis Scott is returning to the big stage, along with Tiësto, Diplo, Snoop Dogg and more starting May 4.
- Post Malone takes the stage at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino May 6.
- Plus more.
For a more inclusive list of events to look forward to, click here.
McLaren Pulling Out All the Stops
As part of the grand celebration, McLaren is giving their 720S supercar a bit of a face lift.
In honor of the brand new track and Miami Gardens inaugural Grand Prix, McLaren is introducing a racing livery-inspired wrap to its cars which will be displayed throughout the F1 weekend.
This new wrap will make an appearance at multiple events, including Pirelli Hot Laps and on display at the McLaren Hospitality Suite.
The wrap design is comprised of the livery design of all three McLaren teams; Formula 1, INDCAR and Extreme E. It boasts a brilliant Fluro Papaya orange and an accent of new Blue. The orange dates all the way back to the 1967 Can-Am season when team founder Bruce McLaren first made use of it.
F1 in Vegas Shows Miami How it’s Done
Miami isn't the only city celebrating the advent of Formula 1's return from the pandemic dark ages.
Las Vegas will be welcoming F1 back in 2023, for an exciting circuit that runs past the Bellagio, Venetian, Caesar's Palace, the Vegas Strip and more landmarks.
Including Austin, that makes three US-based locations for Formula One Races. Is that too many? Local economies say no – with hundreds of millions of dollars pouring in with each race, and thousands of jobs materializing.
Vegas knows how to throw a party and if this week's NFL Draft celebrations are any indication, Formula One in Las Vegas in 2023 will be extraordinary.
But first – Miami. It all starts next week, so get your favorite team gear ready and head to Miami's all-night universe for some 24/7 partying before the big Grand Prix on May 8.