The Miami party and the luxury of Monte Carlo: This is how F1 came to be in the United States

Desiring to match the “glamor” and luxury of Monte Carlo, Miami is hosting this weekend’s first Formula One Grand Prix in Florida since 1959when perhaps the final of the most painful world championship in history was played in Sebring.

Now, 63 years later, Miami’s career aspires to be a kind of Monte Carlo grand prix but with the atmosphere and energy of that city, there were parties, beach atmosphere and everything with lots of Latin and electronic music.

In fact, the designers of this circuit built around the Hard Rock stadium decided to create an experience similar to Monaco, with a luxurious yacht marina and a recreation of South Florida’s famous beaches with nearly 24,000 square feet. (2,200 square meters) and swimming pool in the style of a tourist resort.

But for many they have overstated their attempt and, since they cannot put real water in the middle of the loop, they chose to recreate this marina with hard, blue sea water where the yachts are locatedwhich caused a lot of jokes and criticism on social networks.

The prices of those who paid their admission to the “Yacht Club” are also no joke and, according to the newspaper “Miami Herald,” those wishing to enter this area of ​​the circuit must pay $ 9,500 for their individual ticket, 19,000 for a double and 38,000 for one that gives access to four people.

DAGONG OF ENGINES AND SPEAKERS

Aside from also being close to Fort Lauderdale, the so -called Yacht Capital of the World, the Miami Grand Prix is ​​also focused on an entertainment agenda where music will reign supreme in this complex where the Miami Dolphins play American football and the Miami. The tennis Open was also played.

The first of two Formula One circuses stops this year in the United States aims to highlight Miami’s pre-eminence in the dance and Latin music scene.

For this reason, the weekend of live music will begin at the nearby Hard Rock hotel, although concerts can be followed from the stadium, with performances by various DJs, and will continue presentations by Post Malone, The Chainsmokers, Tiësto and Colombian Malumawho will give a special presentation on the podium after the race on Sunday.

But the most important thing will happen on the newly created Miami International Autodrome, which is 5.41 kilometers long and has 19 curves, three straight and has an estimated top speed of 320 kilometers per hour.

It will be unveiled this weekend by the world’s best drivers, who arrived at the home of the Miami Dolphins with the aim of keeping the turmoil of the dispute between Charles Leclerc’s and Carlos Sainz’s Ferraris, Max Verstappen’s Red Bulls and Checo’s Pérez and the Mercedes of Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

But it would be hard to match the emotion of what was experienced in what was the first Formula One grand prix in the United States. It was held on December 12, 1959 in what is now Sebring’s classic Florida circuit, where Australian Jack Brabham dramatically won the first of his three world championships.

The sports records of the season say that Brabham gambled on not filling his Cooper-Climax to gain a bit of speedbut when he was ahead and on the last lap his car ran out of gas.

He needed to score points, so he got out of the car, pushed his car up the hill and crossed the finish line in fourth position, enough to take the world championship.

In that race was first New Zealander Bruce McLaren, who made history in this sport starting in Sebring, where he became, at 22 years old, the youngest driver to win a Formula One World Championship race, record that lasted 43 years until it was surpassed by Fernando Alonso in 2003.

And now, 63 years later, the new Florida Grand Prix is ​​ready to make history.