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Big fanfare: Miami debut dazzles F1

Big fanfare: Miami debut dazzles F1


Lewis Hamilton – Lewis Hamilton is the superstar of Formula 1. – © Photo: – / PA Wire / dpa

The new asphalt strip at the Miami Dolphins football temple gives even record champion Lewis Hamilton something like childish anticipation.

“It’s nerve-wracking, it’s a huge event for us,” the Mercedes star is excited about ahead of the Formula 1 premiere in the dazzling city of Florida. An American-size sensation surrounding the end of next week’s Grand Prix race, after decades of inattention, the racing series is feeling in the hearts of US motorsport fans. The expensive tickets for Sunday’s race were said to have sold out in just 40 minutes.

Hamilton, the star – also in the US

“I’ve never really understood why people here aren’t interested in Formula 1. It’s great to see that we’ve solved it and there is a growing love in the States,” says Hamilton. The 37-year-old has long been the only Formula 1 driver known to a larger audience in the United States. At the start of race week, the popular breakfast show Good Morning America invited him to appear as a guest in New York’s Times Square.

But now more and more US sports fans also know the rest of the driver field. The reason for this, in addition to the annual guest appearance in Austin, Texas, since 2012 and the successful PR campaign for American Formula 1 owners, is above all the Netflix series “Drive for Survival”. The fast-paced documentary has been tracking each season in one season for four years and has brought the first chapter to a new, young audience, especially in the USA.

Even characters like Haas boss Gunther Steiner, played by Mick Schumacher, have become stars with his blunt insults. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why the organizers in Miami initially planned a tour of honor for the heads of teams as well as the drivers’ show. In the meantime, this software item is no longer available.

VIP guests and stars on site

However, Miami’s debut must have been extraordinary. “Even people who’ve been to other races should think: This is different, this is fun, this is exciting,” says chief race organizer Tom Garfinkel. There is a small marina with yachts and an artificial beach with swimming pools on the edge of the 5,412-kilometer road. VIP guests are greeted at the Miami Dolphins’ state-of-the-art training center. A series of concerts featuring music stars such as Post Malone, Kygo and The Chainsmokers.

The temporary ramp should also provide the best entertainment. The car should reach a top speed of 320 km / h. After tests in the simulator, Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas decided that there would be some good chances of overtaking between 19 corners. “It has to be good old racing,” says the Finn. Describing his impressions, Alpha Tauri driver Pierre Gasly says, “It looks very cool. Lots of fast corners, really hard corners, unusual corners, very long corners, very long straights.”

However, the high spirits of Lewis Hamilton on his way to Miami, was not only connected with enthusiasm for the sunny state. A quick look at the stats might put the Silver Arrow driver, who has been frustrated as of late, in a good mood. After all, his Mercedes team has won each of the first six races on a newly built circuit since 2014.

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 220503-99-137687 / 2

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