Formula 1's expansion into the United States market continued with the inaugural Miami Grand Prix at the Miami International Autodrome in 2022, making it the second US-based race alongside the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas before Las Vegas joined the calendar too in 2023.
A temporary circuit constructed around the Hard Rock Stadium, the 19-turn, 3.36-mile track was finalised after 36 different designs were simulated, a track which only came to be after fierce opposition to the event from locals was overcome.
The stars descended onto the grid in Miami for the first running of the race in 2022, and with Logan Sargeant joining the grid with Williams, local fans will not only have an American driver to cheer on, but one of Florida's own - with Sargeant having been born only a half-hour drive outside Miami.
The Miami International Autodrome claims to have the second-fastest straight on the calendar, that being the long drag down to Turn 17.
The track also boasts a tight and technical section between turns 11-16, and with plenty of walls close up to the kerbs throughout the lap, suddenly the speed and risk of this track appears to ramp up very quickly.
It was not universally popular among the drivers on its first running, particularly around the tricky Turn 14/15 chicane due to the walls on exit, but organisers are looking at ways of ensuring a better return for 2023.
Turn 1 - A medium-speed right bend serves as the first turn, opening up on exit.
Turn 2 - From there it is a sharp flick of the wheel to keep pace through the quick left-hand kink of Turn 2.
Turn 3 - A full throttle, long right bend which opens out into a short straight.
Turn 4 - A left bend that tightens up mid-corner, rewarding those who are brave on the throttle and with their tyres.
Turn 5 - Now into the full-throttle right kink.
Turn 6/7/8 - Into a long hairpin now with a trio of left apexes, the tightest of which being the final one before jumping back on the throttle.
Turn 9 - Down the not-quite-straight back straight, with Turn 9 serving as a minor adjustments to the right.
Turn 10 - Then sweep back the other way through another open, flowing bend.
Turn 11 - Full throttle down to Turn 11, the heaviest braking point of the lap so far to take this slow left-hander.
Turn 12 - A brief stamp on the throttle before going into this tight right bend, hugging the inside kerb.
Turn 13 - A quick left apex which sets up for the approaching chicane.
Turn 14/15 - A tight left-to-right chicane, where drivers can end up in the wall before Turn 15 should they misjudge the first apex, rising up to a crest before plunging downhill on exit.
Turn 16 - A 90-degree left that takes drivers onto a long straight.
Turn 17 - The longest straight of the lap ends with a heavy braking zone at Turn 17, the track bending to the left.
Turn 18 - The track opens up into a quicker left curve, which in qualifying is full throttle.
Turn 19 - A minor, wide right bend that guides the drivers back onto the start/finish straight.
Friday 5 May
Free practice 1: 1.30pm-2.30pm [6.30pm-7.30pm UK]
Free practice 2: 5pm-6pm [10pm-11pm UK]
Saturday 6 May
Free practice 3: 12.30pm-1.30pm [5.30pm-6.30pm UK]
Qualifying: 4pm [9pm UK]
Sunday 7 May
Race: 3.30pm [8.30pm UK]
The initial opposition to the race became a tad more confusing considering the opening ticket sales, with pre-sale tickets for the 2022 Miami Grand Prix selling out in under 40 minutes, with the full event selling out in double-quick time.
Tickets are also mostly sold out for the 2023 Miami Grand Prix, with only three-day tickets available in the Start/Finish Grandstand and Turn 18 Grandstand at the turn of the new year.
To look for what is available, Motorsporttickets.com are well worth checking out for tickets for 2023 and beyond.
Thought has gone into creating the best viewing experience for fans across the lap with the grandstands constructed, the first down the start/finish straight, which will give fans the perfect view of the race start, finish and all of the pre-race build-up, on top of all the action going on in the pit lane.
The Turn 1 grandstands give fans the chance to watch on from the first overtaking spot of the lap, while also enjoying a view of the start/finish line.
From the Marina Grandstands, guests can enjoy the Formula 1 action at turns 6, 7 and 8, as well as that of the party goers, all from the comfort of their seats. These stands also offer access to the general admission areas of the marina where a range of food and drinks can be found.
For all you McLaren fans out there, the North Marina Grandstand is where you need to be. For the Aston Martin supporters among us, get yourself in the South Marina Grandstand.
The Fountain View Grandstand over at Turn 9 benefits from a big screen, while the Beach Grandstands offer views of turns 11, 12 and 13, as well as views and access to the MIA Beach House. The Red Bull fan club is placed in the Southwest end of North Beach Grandstand.
The Turn 18 grandstand may just be the pick of the bunch, as drivers stamp on the breaks for Turn 17 at the end of the long back straight, probably the prime overtaking opportunity of the lap. You will also find the Ferrari and Mercedes fan club sections here, while the grandstands are well-positioned for access to F1 Fan Zones and pop-up activations.
There is a family grandstand at Turn 10, which is also a prime spot to get involved with these Fan Zones and pop-ups.
If you are flying in for the Miami Grand Prix, the Miami International Airport is 15 miles away from the circuit. Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport acts as a reliever to Miami International Airport, has no landing fees, and is only five-and-a-half miles from the circuit, or 10 minutes by taxi.
If driving to the race, the track can be accessed via NW 199th St, turning left onto Don Shula Dr to reach the destination.
You can get close to the stadium by bus, with the following lines and routes having stops nearby: 02, 297, 99 and MGDBLU.
Address: Hard Rock Stadium, 347 Don Shula Dr, Miami Gardens, FL 33056, United States.
The heat in Florida made the inaugural Miami Grand Prix in 2022 a gruelling event for the drivers, with some struggling with dehydration as the race unfolded.
But after Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz locked out the front row, it was Max Verstappen who had passed both Ferrari drivers inside the first 10 laps, eventually cruising to victory ahead of his title challengers to become the first ever winner around the Miami International Autodrome.
There were several crashes elsewhere, as is always the risk in street racing, with Lando Norris tagging Pierre Gasly's front wheel after he ran wide and Mick Schumacher piling into the side of Sebastian Vettel's Aston Martin as he looked for a pass.
Miami Grand Prix winners
2022 - Max Verstappen
The fastest lap in a Miami Grand Prix was set by Verstappen in his race-winning performance, with the official race lap record set at a 1:31.361, while Leclerc's pole position lap came in significantly quicker at a 1:28.796 for the outright fastest lap around the Miami International Autodrome.
Esteban Ocon: "We saw a track which is a little like Baku in parts but has also very fast corners on the other side. It’s a very complete track."
Yuki Tsunoda: “I think it's fun, it's a really unique and special track. There are a couple of tricky corners I've never seen, for example Turn 7 is completely blind so it will make a difference. Especially if you nailed it, or missed the apex, I think it will be a big time difference."
Lando Norris: "The surface is very tricky as well because you go off-line anywhere and it is pretty much game over and you end up in the wall, so it's punishing, let's say - that is why you have seen quite a few people ending up in the barriers. I feel like it isn't going to be great for racing now. That is the negatives, but the positives are it is still a good track.”
