Formula 1 teams go for "Miami vibes" with new color schemes
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Scuderia Ferrari HP drivers Lewis Hamilton (left) and Charles Leclerc unveil the new Miami Grand Prix livery. Photo: Martin Vassolo/Axios
The Miami Grand Prix isn't until the weekend, but Formula 1 superstars Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc kicked off the party Wednesday night in Wynwood.
- The Scuderia Ferrari HP drivers unveiled their race car livery for the Miami GP.
Yes, but: A less-acclaimed team, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, might have one-upped Ferrari with a livery unveiling that oozed Miami grandiosity.
- VCARB revealed a magenta-colored F1 car floating on a barge in the bay. (The car will be ferried around Miami's waterways today.)
Why it matters: The introduction of the Miami Grand Prix four years ago — among many other factors — has helped fuel the sport's growing popularity in the U.S.
- Last year's Miami GP broadcast on ABC set a U.S. television record for a Formula 1 race, with 3.1 million viewers.
State of play: Ferrari unveiled its HP-blue-and-red livery at the new HP Experience fan zone at Wynwood Marketplace.
- The fan zone, which opens to the public Thursday through the weekend, features race simulators and a photo booth that edits fans into their favorite racer's action shots, among other activations.
The intrigue: Hamilton and Leclerc seemed to disagree about whether the car's one-off color scheme exuded "Miami vibes."
- Leclerc said it did. But Hamilton wondered, "Is that Miami colors? I tend to think Miami colors are like pink, neon."
Meanwhile, the Racing Bulls leaned into those neon magenta vibes at their party at the swanky Joia Beach Club.
- The team, including drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, wore magenta shirts that matched the car and the new Red Bull energy drink flavor — Summer edition White Peach — that the livery is based on.
- "I think it's sick," Lawson said. "It looks fast."
Zoom out: Leclerc told Axios that F1's surging popularity in the U.S. is great for the sport, but makes it harder for him to walk around unnoticed when he's in town.
- "It's a little bit more difficult to go around Miami, but it's very fun and good to see."
Bottom line: Hamilton told Axios he's hoping this weekend's race will draw the biggest crowd F1 has seen in Miami.
- "I mean, Miami is such a cool place," he said. "It's incredible that we have a grand prix here."