Wolff hails near-perfect Miami debut

Verstappen, Sainz and Leclerc on the podium in Miami — Photo: © LAT Images

Miami Grand Prix

Wolff hails near-perfect Miami debut

Mercedes finished fifth and sixth in Miami

Sam Hall

Monday 9 May 2022 19:00

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has hailed the inaugural Miami Grand Prix as a "nine out of 10" success.

Miami left nothing in reserve spectacle-wise for F1's first visit to the all-new International Autrodrome that twists around the Hard Rock Stadium, with a star-studded list of guests added to by a police escort to the podium for the top three finishers, NFL-style Pirelli helmets and confetti on the rostrum.

Although the weekend was far from straightforward for Mercedes, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth and sixth, Wolff said: “This event was spectacular.

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"The city is totally hyped around Formula 1. The fan support is great and honestly, I have never been at a race that created such a buzz in a place and interest like Miami this time around.

“You can’t cross the paddock because there were so many people and that is good.

“I think we have to be happy that we have such strong support."

Miami 'gets it right'

The Miami circuit has divided opinions among the drivers but to Wolff, the layout hit the mark perfectly.

“As for the race, you can say what you want. It was a first. Sometimes places get it wrong but this one didn’t get it wrong," Wolff explained.

“We had a good DRS zone – we had two good DRS zones – and even the track breaking in turn 17, as an example, gave great racing. It was very difficult to brake into turn 17.

"If you lost the line, then you lost a position or two and it is clear that the drivers will say that is not optimum.

“But for racing and for entertainment, it was great stuff.

“That is exactly how it should be. It is almost like a trick gravel bed that you need to throw in there to make exciting action.

“All in all, I would say for a first [running], nine out of 10.”