Miami Gardens

It almost makes you look fondly back at the 1984 Dallas Grand Prix that ran on a 2.4 mile circuit that looped around the Cotton Bowl and along South Second Avenue. Almost. I understand F1 wants to crack the U.S. market. We have three - count ‘em three - races in the States. So why are we consistently subjected to shitty tracks. This weekend’s race around the Hard Rock Stadium fits nicely into that shifty niche. We’ve had races run in Phoenix, Indian-No-place (sorry Indianapolis) and the aforementioned car park in Dallas. All were horrendous venues. Here is a challenge. Except for the ‘Mickey Mouse’ chicane on sight can you identify any corner. Well, other than the one that runs under an expressway. Lovely. The U.S. also has a penchant for tacky. Remember a couple of years ago Michael BUFFER introduced the drivers individually; world wrestling style. Or the car taking the podium trio to their champaign drenching fitted with large antlers. At least this year in Miami they took away the faux yachts mimicking or mocking Monaco. This year for USD 4700 you could watch the race from a swimming pool on the MSC ‘cruise ship’. Funny, I never before thought of bringing my swim suit to a car race. But that’s just me. A little old fashioned and out of step I guess. Happily we saw less and less of the stars and influencers on screen. Unhappily the race director missed Pierre GASLY getting crashed out, Max VERSTAPPEN and Charles LECLAIR spins and racing action down the grid. Admittedly the one car Aston Martin team racing with Cadillac isn’t riveting viewing either. But overall the racing was pretty good. After the first three races of the year the pundits were saying that engine management dominated race craft and deployment strategies dictated outcomes. At least it wasn’t all about tyre management. I did have to smile every time a car went off track and into the Miami blue runoff area. Why? It just reminds me how horrible the NFL Miami Dolphins are at football.