Formula 1 will race in Miami for the first time this weekend at the Miami International Autodrome.
Miami will be on the F1 calendar for the next 10 years as the sport continues its impressive mark on America since Netflix’s Drive to Survive in 2018.
This weekend’s Miami GP has been compared to the Superbowl with glitz and glamor aplenty.
The track layout is fast and favors a low downforce setup that can play into Red Bull’s hands.
Red Bull have introduced no upgrades for this weekend while rivals Ferrari have a new low downforce rear ring.
In a bid to turn the season around, Mercedes have made further improvements to Miami.
Mercedes struggled last time out at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, although George Russell managed to reclaim fourth place after a blistering start.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton struggled to finish 13th after being stuck behind AlphaTauri’s Pierre Gasly for much of the race at Imola.
Mercedes introduced a new rear wing as well as a beam wing while making changes to the W13’s front wing endplate.
He wants to reduce the levels of drag that the W13 currently produces with low downforce and crucial straight-line speed around this new Miami circuit.
Speaking ahead of practice on Friday, Hamilton doubted the impact Mercedes’ upgrades could have on their outright performance.
“You can expect us to give it our all,” Hamilton said. “We did our best and there was a lot of work behind the scenes. You can see we have a new rear wing for example, so I’m just grateful to everyone for keeping their heads down and for the hard work everyone is doing.
“I don’t foresee much change in that direction.”
McLaren will be hoping to continue their upward trajectory after Lando Norris finished third at Imola, but Alfa Romeo and Alpine have shown impressive pace in the final rounds.
When it comes to off-road action, a storm is brewing when it comes to Hamilton jewelry.
The FIA has taken a tougher stance on the wearing of jewellery, with new F1 race director Niels Wittich advising all teams that additional checks will be included in the pre-event technical control declaration form.
Hamilton had previously said he had no intention of complying with the settlement, insisting his earrings and nose stud could not be physically removed.
The seven-time world champion arrived at pre-event press conferences in Miami on Friday decked out in jewelry, including eight rings, four necklaces, two earrings, a bracelet and three watches – suggesting once again that he is not does not intend to change position. .
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Full 2022 F1 calendar
March 18-20 – Round 1
Bahrain Grand Prix
March 25-27 – Round 2
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix
April 8-10 – Round 3
Australian Grand Prix
April 22-24 – Round 4
Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
May 6-8 – Round 5
Miami Grand Prix
May 20-22 – Round 6
Spanish Grand Prix
May 27-29 – Round 7
Monaco Grand Prix
June 10-12 – Round 8
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
June 17-19 – Round 9
Canadian Grand Prix
July 1-3 – Round 10
British Grand Prix
July 8-10 – Round 11
Austrian Grand Prix
July 22-24 – Round 12
French Grand Prix
July 27-29 – Round 13
Hungarian Grand Prix
August 26-28 – Round 14
Belgian Grand Prix
September 2-4 – Round 15
Dutch Grand Prix
September 9-11 – Round 16
Italian Grand Prix
September 30-October 2 – Round 17
Singapore Grand Prix
October 7-9 – Round 18
Japanese Grand Prix
October 21-23 – Round 19
United States Grand Prix
October 28-30 – Round 20
Mexican Grand Prix
November 11-13 – Round 21
Brazilian Grand Prix
November 18-20 – Round 22
Abu Dhabi Grand Prix