Verstappen expects "crazy" Miami F1 debut

Miami Grand Prix

Verstappen expects "crazy" Miami F1 debut

Miami will host its first F1 event this weekend

Sam Hall

Wednesday 4 May 2022 14:57

Max Verstappen has predicted a "pretty crazy" weekend at the inaugural Miami Grand Prix.

F1 will race around the purpose-built Miami International Autodrome this weekend as the sport continues its expansion in America.

Verstappen heads to Miami off the back of a dominant victory at Imola and, having driven the all-new layout on the Red Bull simulator, is expecting a wild ride.

"I think this weekend is going to be pretty crazy," said Verstappen.

"I’m looking forward to racing in Miami. I’ve driven the track on the simulator and we’ve practiced and prepared as much as we can without visiting the track in real life.

"I love racing in Austin so it’s fun that we get to go to another state and race this year."

F1 new-generation cars exciting the fans

The Netflix docu-drama Drive to Survive has been widely credited for increasing interest in F1 in the United States.

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Verstappen has been particularly vocal about his dislike of the series and refused to take part in last year's edition.

Offering his own explanation for the surge in interest, the reigning champion explained: "It’s exciting to see Formula One getting much bigger in the US, F1 and the teams are working hard to promote the sport in the US and we’re having more and more races here, so step by step we are making it more popular.

"I also think it helps now the cars are finding it easier to follow and overtake each other and more teams are competing for wins, I think that’s the most important thing for the fans.

"I hope that it’s going to be an exciting weekend, Miami is a really nice city and I think it’s a really interesting location to hold a Grand Prix, I think not only the drivers are excited, but the fans too."