Sunday’s Miami Grand Prix — one of Formula 1’s two American races currently on the schedule — is all about the glitz and glam and flashy, Miami vibes. And judging from some early views of the 3.36-mile, 19-turn circuit built around Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, it certainly has the potential to live up to the hype — especially if the racing is good.
One particular element of the venue, however, leaves quite a bit to be desired: the fake marina.
Eyeing the idea of an American version of the famed and glamorous Monaco Grand Prix, Miami organizers originally hoped for a waterfront venue with a circuit in the downtown area and over a bridge to the Port of Miami, as the Miami Herald reported last month. But when that plan didn’t work out and the race ended up being around Hard Rock Stadium, there was still an attempt at creating a waterfront atmosphere.
Enter The Yachts at MIA Marina, a faux harbor/beach area with, obviously, yachts. More from the Miami Herald:
It won’t be as picturesque as it would have been along the turquoise bay, with gorgeous aerial camera views of cruise ships, the skyline and fans watching from yachts and sailboats. But [Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium owner Stephen] Ross’ group is doing its best to replicate a waterfront ambiance at the landlocked venue.
In the center of the track, near turns 11, 12 and 13, will be a 24,000 square-foot beach club zone featuring a resort-style pool with luxury cabanas, bars and DJs playing music.
And that’s not all! A Monaco-inspired faux marina “Yacht Club” is being constructed — complete with about a dozen dry-docked yachts — on the infield of turns 6, 7 and 8. Some race patrons paid $38,000 for a four-person “Yacht Club” package, $19,000 for a two-person pass and $9,500 for a single.
The discovery of the fake marina then led to this funny bit from Sky Sports’ Craig Slater, pointing out the absurdity of the situation and hilariously “swimming” in the “water.”
Joking that the “sea breeze is in my hair” — the venue is about 10 miles away from the Atlantic Ocean — Slater said: “It’s such a hot day today, I think I might take a jump into the cool… water.”
Nothing to see here, just Craig Slater having a swim at the #MiamiGP's fake harbour 😂 pic.twitter.com/LB48SQgedq
— Sky Sports F1 (@SkySportsF1) May 3, 2022
His bit about “enhanced reality” — welcomed by many F1 fans with more jokes — then continued as he attempted a little backstroke on the flat, waterless ground.
So no matter how real the fake marina will look on TV, just remember, it’s not.
No Daniel. Noooo. pic.twitter.com/RRFRUVrLRd
— ESPN F1 (@ESPNF1) May 3, 2022
Following two practices on Friday and another Saturday, qualifying for the Miami Grand Prix is set for noon ET Saturday. The race is scheduled for Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET.
