The much-expected and overly hyped 2022 Miami Grand Prix has ended this May. It was held at the Miami International Autodrome in Miami Gardens, Florida (despite some complaints about the location) and it accommodated about 242,955 visitors during its three-day program with an average of 2.6 million online viewers (in the USA only). The Hard Rock Stadium broke the record.
You're reading this article, therefore, there is a big chance that you're a dedicated fan of racing and motorsport, and you probably streamed or watched the Miami Grand Prix live. You've also probably seen at least one of our many articles published about the 2022 Miami Grand Prix. Therefore, we won't talk about the things you probably already know regarding the Formula 1 in the U.S.
Yes, Max Verstappen, the leading Red Bull driver, won the race, followed by Ferrari stars Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. Yes, Mercedes still has issues with its W13. There were too many crashes (and several celebrities in attendance). The entire "thing about the jewelry" is still (somehow!) a topic. You probably know all the juicy details by now. The race was, after all, two months ago.
Nevertheless, there may be a couple of interesting facts you missed so far about the 2022 Miami Grand Prix. Be aware, we aim to spice things up today.
The 2022 Miami Grand Prix: The Race Was Quite Uninspiring
There, we said it. You've probably been bottling it in as well, and we are here to tell you that you aren't alone with such opinion. It really was a rather dull race. Despite all the hype raised by the media, many avid F1 fans and spectators saw the Miami Grand Prix as unexciting, particularly when it comes to the track itself.
To be completely honest here, a late safety car made the otherwise uninspiring race more exciting for a brief moment. After Lando Noris crashed on lap 41 and the McLaren F1 went spinning, a VSC (virtual safety car) was in the game, soon replaced by a full safety car. This changed the odds for some drivers and brought in more excitement.
But in general, the 2022 Miami Grand Prix was not as spectacular as F1 promised (and many people were not shy to say it). A total of five drivers didn't even finish the race due to crashes and car issues. Also, many would agree that too much attention was also given to the celebrities attending the event.
Of course, it was great the Williams sisters, David Beckham, Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, and many other big names were there to see the races. But was that really significant? Moving the spotlight away from the drivers, teams, and the track makes F1 something different. But again, who knows, maybe some fans enjoyed this part too.
The 2022 Miami Grand Prix: The Drivers Complained About The Surface And Other Safety Issues (But Were Not Heard)
Did you know that drivers were unhappy with a grip on the track when outside the optimum racing line? They complained about the surface quality right after the practice series and suggested early on that the race itself would be difficult. Apparently, it was both a safety and performance concern.
Drivers also enlisted that a TecPro barrier should be in place of concrete at the exit of Turn 13, but FIA didn't listen. Another issue was with the Turn 14/15 chicane. We'll see how Miami resolves these problems next year.
The 2022 Miami Grand Prix Was Ridiculously Expensive
You may expect the F1 races to be expensive, but according to several resources, Miami climbed to the top. According to some estimates Insider drew after the race, it would cost a family of four $2,300 to only attend the Miami Grand Prix. Imagine how much one needed to spend to stay there for longer or get better seats (standard tickets were capped at $500) — not to mention costs for prolonged stays, such as a hotel stay and more food and drinks.
So, maybe celebrities were enjoying the 2022 Miami Grand Prix without any thought whatsoever, but those on a limited budget had to save quite some money to attend the race.
The Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix 2023 Is Already Announced
All things considered, the 2022 Miami Grand Prix went well. Some of us may think of it as under stimulating, but this event is the first in a probably very long line, and we expect things to change for the better over the years. There's no reason to be otherwise.
We'll get a chance to explore the event again as soon as next year. F1 has announced already that the Grand Prix is coming to the Hard Rock Stadium in 2023. The high attendance and streaming probably secured an excellent (not to be missed in 2023) revenue for the organizers. Fans can already make deposits and reserve their tickets.