MIAMI GARDENS, FLA. (WSVN) - If you have the need for speed, South Florida is where you want to be.
“It was incredible, it was honestly the coolest experience I ever had,” said Molly Pontius.
“I’m a huge car girl, so the sound of cars is just music to my ears,” Emily Monreal.
Racing aficionados from far and wide flocked to the Hard Rock Stadium on Friday for a firsthand look at drivers putting their pedal to the metal for practice laps on the F1 track.
“It’s so crazy watching the cars in person because you hear them and almost feel them when they drive by. It’s actually a surreal experience,” said Pontius. “We were walking by the track when they started practice, and everybody immediately turned and looked because it was so exciting.”
“When you hear the cars in person the first time, it’s really like a once in a lifetime experience,” said Harrison Degods.
The inaugural Miami Grand Prix kicks off its race this weekend in South Florida.
“This should be really fun. I’ve never seen anything like it, I never had the opportunity before, so to have it in my backyard, that’s awesome,” said Danielle Steg.
As for the fans, they hail from all around the world.
“I live in New York City,” said a fan.
“I’m from Mexico but I live in New York,” said Sergio Silva.
For many, it’s a new experience.
“We are big Formula One fans. He is very big, so I got him tickets for his birthday, and it’s our first experience, so we’re going to see what we’re going to experience,” said Jo-Anne Martis.
From high above, 7Skyforce provided a bird’s-eye view of what fans can expect beyond the race, with different areas surrounding the Hard Rock that, they said, gives that Miami feel.
For these fans, that makes this experience worth every minute.
“They really made it like a Miami race, with some fake water, with some yachts, beach club, music and DJs, so yeah, I think it’s really going to give it that feel,” said Silva. “The circuit was missing that. We have a lot of Europe, a lot of Asia, and finally getting that kind, of, you know, American melting pot feel into Formula One.”
The fun continues Saturday with qualifying runs, with the race happening on Sunday.
For those that can’t make it to the race, South Beach has some free fun that you might enjoy.
FTX off the Grid is hosting a 3-day festival with music, a VIP lounge that has nice views of the ocean, city and of course, race cars.
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