(Miami) Is it a festival? A gathering of celebrities? A Grand Prize?
Answer: all at the same time.
We knew that Miami would do things big for this second edition of its Grand Prix, one of the three races in the United States this season. But knowing is one thing. Seeing it is another.
Formula 1 is used to overdoing it. Each Grand Prix is a show in itself. But here, in Miami, where turquoise and palm trees are in the spotlight, we multiply by five.
Already, you should know that the “team village” was built on the grounds of Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins. Each team has its headquarters there. By headquarters, of course, we mean a huge pavilion with a glass front. The team logo is displayed on the front, on a large laminated wooden plaque.
Many major events have taken place in this amphitheater, including the 2020 Super Bowl. After the Dolphins’ last game in January, the natural-grass football field was removed to install a temporary 6,000-seat grandstand and a tennis court. tough for the tennis tournament. The Miami Open ended in early April, and everything was dismantled in 12 days so that the Formula 1 host units could be built.
PHOTO KATHERINE HARVEY-PINARD, THE PRESS
The headquarters of the stables and suppliers are located on the playing surface of Hard Rock Stadium, the home of the Miami Dolphins.
The stadium, which opened in 1987, has a capacity of 65,326 people. So it’s rather fascinating to walk around the team village, on the Dolphins pitch, in front of so many completely empty turquoise bleachers. On the second floor, in the boxes, is the press room with a breathtaking view of the sunny stadium. Because yes, it’s sunny and hot this weekend in Miami.
PHOTO KATHERINE HARVEY-PINARD, THE PRESS
The “team village” for the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix in the stadium
Of course, the Grand Prix site is not limited to Hard Rock Stadium. Far, far from it.
On the “campus”, the activities are multiple. At one end of the track, located around the stadium, a Beach club has been set up where concerts will be presented throughout the weekend; Jonas Brothers, Tiësto, DJ Cedric Gervais…
PHOTO LYNNE SLADKY, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
A$AP Rocky chats with driver Lewis Hamilton in the pits at Miami Speedway on Thursday.
At the other end is the famous marina created from scratch, which caused so much talk last year, during the first edition. Yachts are back on a surface that feels like they are floating on water. This year, real bodies of water have also been added around it. Nothing too good.
Excess, they said.
Naturally, the celebrities are there. Actor Vin Diesel, star of the films Fast and dangerous, came for his turn on Thursday. DJ Khaled was on Friday morning. Perhaps we will have the opportunity to meet Taylor Swift who, according to rumors, is dating Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso… To be continued!
And then, between the stadium, the palm trees, the marina and the celebrities, there is a Formula 1 race. Need we remind you?