F1 "on fire" after Miami debut

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

Miami Grand Prix

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F1 "on fire" after Miami debut

CEO Stefano Domenicali believes event delivered on all levels

Ian Parkes

Tuesday 10 May 2022 09:15

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F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali believes the sport is currently "on fire" following a Miami Grand Prix debut that delivered on all levels.

Prior to speaking to GPFans in the paddock after the race, Domenicali was being congratulated by the CEOs from Bahrain and Singapore on the delivery of an event that has now raised the bar for other venues to aspire to.

Off-track, the Miami GP was spectacular in terms of its facilities and entertainment, and that became a star-laden affair given the array of personalities who attended over the course of the weekend that included former First Lady Michelle Obama.

On it, Domenicali appreciates there are lessons to learn.

"What we have lived over the weekend has been just amazing," said Domenicali to GPFans.

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"If you think we signed the contract less than one year ago, and there was nothing, it's impressive, so congrats, it's great vibes. You can see what Formula 1 is today.

"We were just discussing that this event has been bigger than the Super Bowl in terms of numbers, in terms of the celebrities you saw on the grid.

"Everyone wanted to be there, and it was difficult to say yes or no. Everyone was saying 'This is the place to be. Formula 1! Formula 1!', so I think we should all be happy."

F1 already planning for year two

Changes will be looked at and almost certainly made going into the second race next year to ensure the on-track spectacle lives up to the off-track hype given the criticisms surrounding the chicane and the track surface.

"There will be improvements but that's far from the bigger picture," added Domenicali, who is to speak with Hard Rock Stadium CEO Tom Garfinkel over the coming days.

"Our focus is always to have great racing. You can have everything on top because if you don't have that...

"So I will sit down with Tom, for sure. Absolutely, there are lessons to be learned. We have already done a plan for the future.

"We need to look at things from a project perspective, but when you see the energy, it's amazing.

"But again the vibes are there. We are one step ahead of the growth we need to have because Formula 1 is on fire."