The Story Behind Miami's Real Fake Marina

This may be a small detail for you, but it means a lot! After months of teasing, waiting and above all work, the Miami GP will finally host the ball of the F1, for a weekend. With a brand new track (5,410 km and 19 turns), cradling the contours of the magnificent and imposing Hard Rock Stadium, fervent F1 followers will be served. And yet, a very small decision by the organizers has set fire to the web and in the media in recent days. In question, a fake marina hastily installed on the edge of the Miami circuit, yet with real yachts on it. We'll explain it to you.

A Grand Prix planned at the base in the city center

Initially, the Miami Grand Prix was planned in the city center. But the colossal work and the complication of its implementation convinced the organizers to move it to the outskirts, nearly 15 km from the base project. And so, fifteen kilometers from the sea. The members of the organization instead leaned towards their plan B, namely around the famous Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Miami Dolphins NFL franchise, and its insane parking lot. But as if to hide the misery that could reflect the idea of ​​a Grand Prix taking place in Miami, the magical city as it is nicknamed, in a poor parking lot on the outskirts of the center, any project or idea that could beautify the place was retained. . Do you see where we're going with this?

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After months of work, in a rather restricted time frame, the (ephemeral) Miami International Autodrome saw the light of day. Dozens of installations and activities flourish all around the circuit, including this famous marina. A desire undoubtedly to pay homage to the magnificent port of Monaco, well known for housing dozens of yachts on which hundreds of spectators gather on Grand Prix days. But the style effect is definitely missed.

Because indeed, images inexorably leaked onto social networks during its conception, fueling mockery and amazement among Internet users and/or journalists. The “yachts” are in fact transported by truck, placed on wooden planks and bordered by azure-colored wooden covering, which can briefly resemble water. But only when you close one or two eyes, when you turn around three times, with your head upside down.

Obviously, this dark idea has not gone unnoticed since F1 arrived, and our colleagues at Sky Sports reveled in it in an already legendary sequence.

Nothing to see here, just Craig Slater having a swim at the #MiamiGP's fake harbor 😂 pic.twitter.com/LB48SQgedq

- Sky Sports F1 (@ SkySportsF1) May 3, 2022