As the weekend approached for the Miami Grand Prix after a week off, tensions were palpable within the Red Bull Racing team. Accusations were levied against team principal Christian Horner, and the departure of the iconic design chief added to the turmoil. Adding fuel to the fire, speculations swirled around Max Verstappen being offered a lucrative deal by Mercedes.
🗣️ | 🇺🇸 Christian Horner speaking ahead of Miami GP
"It's not the best race track in the world, but it's a fantastic event. It would be great if we could drive into the stadium as well. That would be something special."
"Miami is such a special place to race. The second year in… pic.twitter.com/c3O54oMa9q
— RBR News 🇳🇱🇲🇽 (@redbulletin) April 28, 2024
The uncertainty surrounding key team personnel and the potential departure of their star driver undoubtedly created a sense of unease within the team. As they geared up for the upcoming race in Miami Christian Horner revealed a mix of emotions about racing at the venue for the third time. He said,
“It’s not the best race track in the world, but it’s a fantastic event. It would be great if we could drive into the stadium as well. That would be something special.” “Miami is such a special place to race. The second year in Miami was better than the first, and I have no doubt that the third year will be even better. But racing in the USA is always something special, I think we’ll attract a lot of fans again. So it’s always a big deal.”
Formula 1 Racing at the Miami Grand Prix
Miami’s history of hosting racing events dates back to the early 1980s. Local promoter and racing car driver Ralph Sanchez proposed a race on a hybrid street/permanent circuit in Bayfront Park, right in the heart of Miami. Unfortunately, for various reasons, the race did not materialize at that time.
Fast forward to recent years, and Miami finally secured its place on the F1 calendar. The Miami International Autodrome hosted its first F1 race in 2022. The build-up to the event was electrifying, with all the hype that only a giant American sporting event can provide. While the 57-lap race itself was relatively tame, the outcome was significant for Red Bull Racing.
Red Bull Racing’s star driver, Max Verstappen, has been the standout performer at the Miami Grand Prix. His triumphs make Red Bull the only Formula 1 team to win a Miami GP so far.
- 2022 Miami Grand Prix: Verstappen clinched victory in the inaugural race at the venue. His relentless pace and strategic brilliance secured the win for Red Bull Racing.
- 2023 Miami Grand Prix: Verstappen extended his Formula One world championship lead by recovering from ninth on the grid. He executed a daring move to pass his teammate, Sergio ‘Checo’ Pérez, for first place at the first corner with 10 laps remaining. This win marked Red Bull’s fifth consecutive victory and their fourth 1-2 finish of the season.
READ MORE: Lawrence Stroll Initiates Talks to Potentially Sell Up to 25% Stake of Aston Martin
