The U.S. State of Florida will host its first Formula One Championship race - since 1959 - on a new layout at the Hard Rock Stadium entertainment campus in Miami Gardens.
Each team has arrived in Miami on an even playing field, as no driver has ever raced this track - outside of their simulation work in advance of the weekend.
On the back of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the Red Bull team will be on a high following a spectacular one-two finish that saw both drivers fly up the order in the standings.
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Ferrari had a disastrous outing at their home race and will be laser-focused heading into this weekend in order to remain out front in the fight for this season’s title.
Mercedes have been filling headlines since the season kicked off as the once dominating team struggle to make it to Q3 and to score major points so far this year.
The Brackley-based outfit has claimed to have found areas of improvement that they will be premiering at the Miami GP, as Mercedes fans hold their breaths in the hopes of a return to the front of the grid at lights out on Sunday.
Formula One organisers have praised the designers of this new Miami street race as it enters the world of Formula 1 on a new ten-year contract, so here’s everything you need to know.
Track
The circuit is 5.41km, featuring 19 corners, three straights, and the potential for three DRS zones, with an estimated top speed of 320km/h.
Plans for the new F1 battleground will see the Hard Rock Stadium sit at the heart of the track, which has been designed to allow for some nail-bitingly close racing while meeting the highest safety standards.
According to FIA’s Head of Vehicle Performance, Craig Wilson: “The best overtaking spots will almost certainly be at the end of the DRS zones – most likely Turns 11 and 17, with a more uncertain chance at Turn 1."
He told the official F1 website: “On the first lap, or after Safety Car restarts, we may see some overtaking into Turn 4 if cars are racing through the first three corners.”
Drivers will also have to navigate some major elevation changes between Turns 13 and 16 as the brand new circuit leads across a motorway exit ramp, heads under several flyovers, and across some uneven ground - all of which will play a vital role in tyre choice.
The chicane at turn 14-15 also features a challenging uphill approach, with a crest in the middle, and the exit located on a sloping hill.
Drivers will have to test the limits across Friday and Saturday to gauge their approach to the walls on vital corners as they’re so close to the asphalt.
Sunday’s inaugural Grand Prix will take place across 57 laps with lights out on Sunday, May 8, at 20:30 Irish time.
Championship Standings
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc leads the Driver’s Standings with 88 points for the fifth race in a row - even after a disastrous home race last time out.
His teammate Carlos Sainz is in sixth after a DNF at the Italian race sent him falling down the order.
After a number of early-season struggles, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen came back swinging at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix to clutch the victory and close the gap in the standings.
The Dutchman now sits second, just 27 points off the Monegasque Ferrari driver.
His teammate Sergio Perez is in third with 54 points, just three off Verstappen after finishing in P2 at Imola.
Mercedes’ George Russell is in fourth, but his seven-time world champion teammate is down in an unfamiliar seventh.
Closing out the top ten is Valtteri Bottas in eighth in the Alfa Romeo, followed by Alpine’s Esteban Ocon in ninth and the Haas of Kevin Magnussen in tenth.
Weather
On Friday, May 6, Conditions are due to be clear at first for FP1 but things are expected to heat up (28C - 30C) as the day goes on while there is a 20% chance of one shower during FP2.
As for Saturday, May 7, conditions will once again be dry and sunny (30C - 32C) at first for FP3 however, hours later there is a moderate chance of a thunderstorm kicking off from late afternoon into the evening for Qualifying.
It will also be windier with SW wind and gusts around 40km/h and a 40% chance of rain.
For the big day on Sunday, May 8 it’ll be sunny at first before a warm (32C - 34C) air mass hits in the afternoon with a 40% chance of a thundery shower over the Miami area during the race.
The winds will increase with gusts up to 55km/h throughout the Grand Prix.
Schedule and TV guide
FP1 kicks off this evening at 19:30 Irish time, followed by FP2 at 22:30.
Then, on Saturday the final practice session will commence at 18:00, followed by the Qualifying hour at 21:00.
Sunday marks the main event of the weekend, with lights out scheduled for 20:30 Irish time.
Irish viewers can watch it live on Sky Sports.
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