Miami Grand Prix will have a Floridian driver, numerous improvements at Hard Rock Stadium
MIAMI GARDENS — The Formula One CRYPTO.COM Miami Grand Prix marks its highly-anticipated return to South Florida this week. This time around, the world-renowned starting grid will include one of Florida’s own, 22-year old Logan Sargeant, of Fort Lauderdale.
It marks the first time an American has competed in the F1 ranks since California’s Alexander Rossi in 2015. The Williams Racing driver has a lot to look forward to this week, essentially racing in his hometown where he can anticipate huge support.
“Racing in my backyard next weekend,’’ Sargeant said on social media Sunday as the series prepared to make the 6,800-mile trip from last weekend’s race locale in Baku, Azarbaijian where Oracle Red Bull Racing driver Sergio Perez hoisted the trophy.
The warm Florida welcome Sargeant is expected to receive is also indicative of what the Miami Grand Prix organizers can expect. They have certainly stepped up to ensure Sunday’s 57-lap race around the 3.363-mile circuit at Miami International Autodrome at Hard Rock Stadium features both fine-tuned amenities and a fan-friendly expansion to the facility.
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Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium owner – and Chairman of the Miami Grand Prix - Stephen Ross has invested significant money to improve the facility for race teams and race fans. The response has been a near sell-out already with only limited tickets still available for this first of three F1 events in the United States this season.
After consultations between grand prix organizers, the FIA, Formula One series and its driver council, the race surface around Hard Rock was not only repaved but there were some slight – and welcome - modifications to the Turns 14 and 15 chicane. Those had raised concerns from drivers in last year’s race.
The Formula One paddock will be housed in the center of Hard Rock Stadium – the football surface replaced once in January for a tennis tournament and now will serve as the F1 teams’ hospitality headquarters. There is a newly-constructed permanent Paddock Club built above the garages on pit lane with a viewing deck into Hard Rock Stadium and outside toward the track. It can hold 6,000 fans and will showcase views of the course’s final corners coming to the start/finish line.
Grandstand capacity increased to more than 55,000
The overall grandstand capacity has increased to more than 55,000. Accordingly, the viewing platforms have been enlarged, as well as the addition of water stations for a weekend expected to feature temperatures in the mid-80s. And all pedestrian bridges have been doubled – some quadrupled – in width to facilitate the flow of pedestrian traffic.
“We’ve been working flat-out preparing for our second race and are excited to welcome back Formula 1, the FIA, the teams, the drivers, our guests and the fans to experience another brilliant weekend of on-track action,’’ said Miami Grand Prix President Tyler Epp.
“I’m proud that our race allows us to showcase so much of Miami’s culture, putting us at the intersection of sports and entertainment,’’ he continued. “At the heart of it all is world-class racing and we can’t wait for Miami to be the spotlight as Formula 1 arrives in America for the first time this year.’’
As for the competition, last year’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix winner Max Verstappen returns to South Florida, leading the championship standings by six-points over his Red Bull Racing teammate Perez, who led them in a 1-2 finish on the streets of Baku on Sunday.
Spanish driver Fernando Alonso – a two-time F1 world champion who has scored podium finishes in three of the four races this year for the Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant team – is third, 33 points back.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is ranked fourth. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver and all-time winningest competitor (103 victories) in F1 history is looking to earn his first win since Dec. 3, 2021 in Saudi Arabia.
Last year’s Miami Grand Prix pole-winner, Scuderia Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc, finished third at Baku, securing his first podium finish of 2023.
And the official hometown hero of this week’s grand prix, Sargeant, 22, is looking to score his first career points in Formula One. His best position on the starting grid is 14th and his best finish through four races is 12th – both of those efforts coming in the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix.
The opening of three practice sessions for the grand prix is scheduled for Friday at 2:30 p.m., followed by another hour practice at 6 p.m. There is a final practice on Saturday at 12:30 p.m., with qualifying to set the 20-car grid following at 4 p.m.
Sunday's race
Miami Grand PrixMiami International AutodromeHard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens3:30 p.m., ESPN
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Logan Sargeant among drivers in second Formula One Miami Grand Prix
