Is the Miami Grand Prix a poor man’s Monaco?

Comment by Jehran Naidoo

If there’s one thing the sport of Formula 1 is known for, it’s the oozing of luxury and flexing of wealth among the world’s high society. 

Prior to the arrival of James Hunt and Lord Alexander Fermor-Hesketh, caviar and champagne were not common sightings at an F1 race.

But when you look at Monaco in modern days, with Ferrari F40’s being crane lifted onto luxury yachts, you get the sense that the sport has kept true to its roots. 

Roots so deep that the American promoters who are staging the Miami Grand Prix had to fake a marina around the track just to keep up with appearances.

The fake boat dock, created by plywood covered with a blue plastic wrap to simulate water, is a strange sighting to the naked eye.

But from above, it does give some impression that Miami has a marina around the track.

The wooden deck is cut and fitted with actual boats to give the aesthetic appeal at the Miami International Autodrome. 

But in reality, it’s a silly flex that is uncalled for. What makes it even more insulting is the fact that the Miami Grand Prix is the second-most expensive race to attend from a spectator point of view at $878.

At just under $900 for fake water, America’s capitalistic traits surely come to the forefront of the Miami GP experience.

’s not take anything away from the fact that it is an incredibly cool track to race on, but stupid expensive for the audience to attend.

And for what? To catch a glimpse of a poor man’s Monaco? 

One has to ask themselves how hard up the Miami GP promoters are to give off a fake impression that they ooze luxury and wealth, but optics seem to be everything there. 

“I’m not even sure why they have it. I think it’s an aesthetic thing for the helicopter shots,” F1 photographer Kym Illman said in a social media post.