Miami GP

• Track features

  If you thought the Miami International Autodrome was a permanent track, then the designers have done their jobs right. It’s actually temporary street circuit, but it was designed to feel like a permanent, purpose-built track. 

  Why not just build a permanent track, then? Well, partly because it is set in the Hard Rock Stadium complex in Miami Gardens, which is home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, and so a permanent circuit would rather get in the way of their fixtures.

  The result is a hybrid, not quite a street circuit, not quite a permanent track, that is comparable to Australia’s Albert Park Circuit, with a variety of sections and multiple action points. Having trialled a mammoth 75 different layouts in various locations for the Miami Grand Prix, F1 settled on the circuit we saw last year, which bends its way around the Hard Rock Stadium at speeds of up to 340km/h.

  Turns 1, 11 and 17 proved best for making a move in the inaugural Miami Grand Prix, but overtakes needed to be timed well to come off, as battling turned out to be trickier than anticipated. That’s not to say that there wasn’t any close racing, though, with cars getting bunched up between Turns 11 and 16 – it’s just that actually getting passed at the Turn 17 proved to be easier said than done.

• What's it like in Miami?

  Where to begin? As grand prix settings go, few, if any, are more vibrant than the Magic City.

  Summer is a year-long event in Miami, with the sun almost always blazing down on a city brimming with colour. From the most glorious white sandy beaches to the neon lights illuminating the famous Miami Tower and the stunning Art Deco district, it’s a city bursting with colourful character.

  Looking for some Miami-inspired dishes to try out? The city’s Cuban heritage means you’re not short of options. A traditional Cuban sandwich would be a great accompaniment to the grand prix, or if you’re after an evening meal, look no further than a Churrasco steak.

• Stat pack

  • The Miami International Autodrome was the 11th venue in the USA to host a round of the Formula 1 World Championship
  • Bruce McLaren took his first F1 victory in Florida, although not in Miami, but at the Sebring International Raceway
  • James Hunt, Alain Prost, Ayrton Senna, Mika Häkkinen, Lewis Hamilton, Niki Lauda and John Watson have all won for McLaren in America
  • Each of the 118 pit-wall barrier blocks weighs 6.5 tonnes, which is the same as the combined mass of the Miami Dolphins NFL squad