F1 EXPLAINS: The making of the Miami Grand Prix

Formula 1 races in incredible places. Miami is unique. Home of two-time Superbowl champions the Miami Dolphins, the Miami Open tennis, other world-class sporting events and concerts, the Hard Rock Stadium is transformed into a Grand Prix track where hundreds of thousands of fans will enjoy the action both on and off the circuit this weekend.

F1 Explains podcast presenter Christian Hewgill is in Miami to answer listener questions on how the event happens: how the Hard Rock Stadium is transformed into the Paddock, how the racetrack itself is built and what fans can do around the campus.

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Miami GP President Tyler Epp explains how the race came about, and remembers laying out cones on the ground around the site to show F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali what the racetrack would look like, long before the first Miami Grand Prix in 2022.

Those cones became the 5.5 kilometre, 3.3 mile Miami International Autodrome, a circuit which runs on a mix of permanent racetrack and roads around the Hard Rock Stadium. Vice President of Racing and Sporting Operations John Murphy tells the podcast how the racetrack is built to the standards required to host Formula 1.

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The Hard Rock Stadium itself hosted the finals of the Miami Open tennis tournament at the start of April. Just five weeks later the tennis court has gone, replaced by state-of-the-art hospitality units for all 10 Formula 1 teams.

Then there are the hundreds of thousands of fans who attend the race. VP of Business Operations Kathy Nowak describes the best places to watch the racing and what fans can do around the campus, including beach club parties, DJ sets, concerts and the best food from Miami’s restaurants.

The full episode of F1 Explains is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all other podcast apps here, or you can listen using the player above on this page.

F1 Explains is the official F1 podcast which answers your questions about the sport. You can send your questions to F1Explains@F1.com.