AMERICANS like to go BIG – and the Miami GP, being held this weekend, is no exception.
Since first hitting the calendars in 2022, it’s become an extravagant affair packed full of big-name celebs and , with even the race itself becoming overshadowed by the glitz.
It’s now one of the F1 season’s biggest showpieces, a crucial part of their strategy to boost its popularity in the States.
Last year saw celebs like and pay the race a visit, and even Donald Trump showed up in a surreal appearance that caused security a headache.
And just like the music festival , it’s now full of internet-famous influencers who – many suspect – haven’t got a clue about F1 itself but spend their time snapping selfies and posing with drivers
A record-breaking 275,000 fans turned up to watch McLaren’s clinch his first ever victory, and organisers are hoping will be even bigger.
The event has courted chaos ever since the inaugural race was held three years ago and it was decided to build the circuit at the city’s Hard Rock Stadium, home to local NFL team the Dolphins.
It nearly didn’t happen at all, after a handful of nearby residents filed a lawsuit over noise pollution complaints – though this was thrown out by a judge.
A makeshift circuit was cobbled together – but it proved a dud, having to be resurfaced twice ahead of the race and seriously lacking grip.
Many of the drivers lambasted it, with labelling it “a joke”; and Lando Norris accusing the designers of just “winging it”;.
But it would turn out that the track would be the least of the driver’s worries.
Come 2023, the spectacle was even more intense, much to their dismay.
Prior to the race, each driver was required to present themselves in a full-on WWE-style showcase, led out one-by-one past an honour guard of cheerleaders, announced by the rapper .
Meanwhile, in the background, Black Eyed Peas singer conducted a black-tie-clad 30-piece orchestra.
Little wonder then the drivers found the showbizzy spectacle “distracting”;.
“I don’t think there’s any other sport in the world that 30 minutes before you go out to do your business that you’re out there in the sun, all the cameras on you and making a bit of a show of it,”; said .
“None of the drivers like it,”; added Lando Norris.
“We do so much publicity for the fans [but] as drivers we all just want to sit down and focus on what we need to focus on.”;
Influencer heaven
Too bad for them, then, that the GP has only gone from strength to strength and is a must-attend event for everyone from A-list actors to Z-list influencers.
Even political big hitters have gotten involved – including last year when none other than himself turned up.
Ten days before his visit the secret service spent hours scrutinising and surveying the venue for threats.
Everything was given the all clear – but then just hours before the race his security team ordered major shutdowns in areas of the paddock.
“The Secret Service blocked off the walkway in the middle of the paddock for 20 minutes, and the teams were losing it because they were like, ‘I have to cross,’”; recalled Tyler Epp, President of the Miami GP.
His bright orange tan lined up with the team’s colours, at least, and he even told Norris that he was the British star’s “lucky charm”;.
And given how much Miami has become a hotspot for stars, with the sunny Florida weather always providing a great excuse to strip down to the bare essentials, it’s no wonder the GP event has become a hit with online .
There have been some celebrities that no one even knows were here
Tyler Epp
While Trump was swanning around one part of the paddock giving his congratulations to Norris for his win, OnlyFans actress Veronica Rajek took the chance to pay the McLaren team a visit.
Motoring media even fell for a hoax back in August that claimed OnlyFans was set to become the new title sponsor of the team.
The sensationalised spectacle that the race day has turned into has left plenty of die-hard fans wondering if all these famous faces have any clue about the sport itself.
After all, despite being the voice of racing, not many of them seem to know the legendary .
‘Rude’ celebs
Back in 2022, the Sky Sports commentator was prowling a very crowded grid when he came up to ace .
But she was too busy saying hi to all the other famous faces and barely registered what he was saying, in an awkward but hilarious encounter.
“What’s the question?”; she laughed before whisking herself off somewhere else.
Fast forward to 2024, and a huge list of celebs popped in to catch the racing – including , , , and tycoons and .
And with neighbours going from strength to strength, boss also made an appearance, as did .
Even turned up in the city, alongside her boyfriend NFL superstar – proof enough that the Hard Rock stadium will be the place to be seen this Sunday – though Taylor skipped the race itself.
Perhaps her presence would have been too awkward for driver , because at one point rumours were swirling that the pair briefly dated.
Fortunately for the VIPs – and maybe to make up for always trying to nab them for a chat – the GP’s organisers are careful to keep the general public far away from them.
Some celebs are even rumoured to attend in secret.
We’re trying to create an environment to make special memories that will last a lifetime
Tyler Epp
and Jay-Z reportedly rocked up in 2022, while attended as a guest of Lewis Hamilton.
“She showed up right on time, got to experience a session, and was in and out very, very quietly,”; explained Tyler Epp.
“There have been some celebrities that no one even knows were here.”;
Also on offer is a “Black Card”; experience.
It allows the rich and famous to drive on a special, entirely separate lane off the highway, taking them straight into a luxury car parking zone.
“You don’t have any interaction with the general population from the time you leave your hotel to the time you get to your seat. It’s all very protected and private,”; added Tyler in an interview with Motorsport mag.
Fake beach clubs
Maybe this attention to detail will let Miami become the .
But then again maybe not – given the much-mocked attempt to copy the Mediterranean city with a fake marina was created by painting the ground blue, which even Sky’s Craig Slater attempted to have a “dip”; in.
They even stuck ten massive inside it and imported heaps of fake sand to create a “VIP Beach Club”;.
It was slammed as tacky – but to access this luxurious lake of concrete in the middle of the circuit, guests had to shell out at least $1,000.
And it was $2,000 on top of that if you wanted a deck chair.
When it was first revealed in 2022, bemused fans compared the set up to the .
At least they had two pools to relax in and a performances from big hitters The Chainsmokers to enjoy as well.
Forget Coachella itself – because now, the entire GP weekend has turned into something of a music festival in its own right.
In 2024, both DJ Steve Aoki and delivered performances to revellers at the Hard Rock Beach Club.
And the entertainment on offer during race week is now spilling outside of the stadium itself, with the whole of Miami gripped by GP fever.
Venues across the city are getting into the F1 spirit, including art exhibitions dedicated to exploring racing culture, and exclusive racing-themed pop-up bars in luxury hotels sponsored by F1’s partner, the champagne company Moët & Chandon.
Just be ready to shell out $550 – and that’s for the most basic package on offer.
This year, the Hard Rock beach club will once again be delivering a star-studded line up with performances by Pitbull, Kygo and DJ Tiësto.
But given the Miami GP competes with two others F1 races in the states – in Austin and – organisers aren’t ashamed to say they go out of their way to make the Florida race weekend stand out.
“We’re in the memory making business at the end of the day, and we’re trying to create an environment to make special memories that will last a lifetime,”; added Tyler Epp.
“That’s our goal.”;
