Was Miami Meme-able Enough?: Formula 1's Miami GP

The 305 energy was definitely strong at the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix this past race weekend! On the new episode of Grid Walk, Briana and Nicole talk about everything that happened in South Florida at the Miami International Autodrome (a.k.a. Hard Rock Stadium).

F1 TV viewership numbers for the Miami Grand Prix were a bit different from last year’s inaugural race. What could have been the causes of the change in American viewership this year? Does the Miami Grand Prix need to lean into being a “meme”? Were LL Cool J’s driver introductions really that bad?Could it be the anticipation of the glitz and glam of the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix?

This week’s Gossip Grid may be the biggest one so far thanks to all of the F1 and pop culture content that went down in Miami! The list of celebrities on the F1 grid this weekend is quite lengthy including the Jonas Brothers, Shakira, Tom Cruise, and the cast of Fast & Furious. Will.i.am and Lil Wayne wrote a song inspired by Formula 1? Almost every F1 driver decided to turn up their fashion game but Lewis Hamilton continued to raise the bar. Why is it a big deal that so many American media outlets had coverage of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix?

Are you a Formula 1 fan that feels like the need some extra hope for their team right now? (Oracle Red Bull Racing fans this isn't for you) Briana brings us a special Yellow Sector Notes this week where she gives each F1 team something to hold on before going into a grand prix triple-header. Has BWT Alpine F1 Team’s upgrades finally given them some progress? Uh MoneyGram Haas F1 Team driver Kevin Magnussen starting in P4??? How did Nicole jinx Scuderia AlphaTauri driver Yuki Tsunoda? Scuderia Ferrari solidified which fastest title for the F1 Miami Grand Prix?

Grid Walk is a weekly Formula 1 show that releases every Thursday. For daily F1 content follow @gridwalkshow on all social media platforms.

* The podcast hosts, Briana L. Klein and Nicole Katz, begin the episode by discussing the recently concluded Miami Grand Prix (GP).

**Race Recap:**

* They deliberate on whether the 2022 Miami GP achieved its goal of garnering maximum attention and viewership.
* Briana expresses her opinion that the event lacked the unique and meme-worthy moments that characterized the inaugural race in 2021, potentially contributing to a decline in social media buzz.
* Nicole acknowledges that while the race itself was well-produced and entertaining, there was a noticeable absence of the off-track chaos and intrigue that made last year's event so memorable.
* They discuss the 25% decrease in viewership compared to the previous year's race, but also highlight that the 2022 Miami GP still attracted a significant audience, making it the second most-watched F1 race in American history.
* They speculate on whether the initial excitement surrounding the Miami GP has subsided, and if the race can maintain its popularity in the long run.

**Missed Miami Opportunities:**

* Briana presents a segment called "Missed Miami Opportunities," where she suggests creative content ideas that could have enhanced the event's appeal.
* These ideas include featuring F1 drivers trying Cuban food, incorporating local mascots like Sebastian the Ibis and the Miami Maniac into promotional activities, and having drivers sample the city's renowned coffee.
* They criticize the excessive focus on the Miami Dolphins football team, considering Miami's limited interest in the sport.

**Personal Anecdotes:**

* Briana and Nicole share their personal experiences and memories of attending football games at Hard Rock Stadium, the venue that hosted the Miami GP.
* They reminisce about tailgating, consuming Cuban bread and beer for breakfast, and using the paddock restrooms to avoid the porta-potties.
* Briana recalls an incident where she ventured onto the field after indulging in alcohol, an act she describes as "college hooligan-ness."

**On-Track Action:**

* Despite their focus on the off-track aspects of the Miami GP, Briana and Nicole acknowledge that the race itself was an improvement over the previous year.
* They praise the exciting on-track battles and the overall quality of the racing.

**Miami Grand Prix Debrief:**

* The race was entertaining and exciting, with no red flags and a variety of strategies on display.
* The track layout was not universally praised, but it was an improvement over last year's race.
* The new DRS zones created opportunities for overtaking, leading to some great racing.
* Mercedes' struggles continued, with Lewis Hamilton finishing in P6 and George Russell in P4.
* The hosts expressed disappointment and sadness over Mercedes' performance, particularly Hamilton's result.
* Pirelli's tires were a topic of discussion, with the hosts expressing concern over the lack of degradation and the impact on racing.

**Gossip Grid:**

* Daniel Ricciardo's appearance at the Met Gala was a major highlight, with the hosts praising his outfit and his interactions with celebrities like Anne Hathaway.
* Ricciardo received a "pleasing PR package" from Harry Styles, further fueling speculation about a potential friendship between the two.
* Esteban Ocon modeled for the luxury brand Perluti, showcasing their summer 2023 collection.
* Major League Baseball and Formula One had a mini crossover, with several drivers attending baseball games and participating in pre-game ceremonies.
* Logan Sargeant, the American driver, was featured in several interviews and articles, but the hosts expressed reservations about labeling him as "America's great F1 hope."
* The Miami Grand Prix attracted a star-studded celebrity list, including the Jonas Brothers, Shakira, Brad Pitt, Davidson Idris, A$AP Rocky, Tom Cruise, Vin Diesel, Ludacris, Michelle Rodriguez, Lando Norris, LL Cool J, Esteban Ocon, Dax Shepard, Lindsey Vonn, Pat Mahomes, Apollo Von Garten, Paolo Voncero, Tyree Cale, and Will.i.am.
* Lewis Hamilton's partnership with IWC Schaffhausen for a celebrity basketball game was praised for its charitable efforts to introduce kids to STEM and engineering opportunities.
* Hamilton's basketball skills were also a topic of discussion, with the hosts commending his ability to shoot free throws and make follow-throughs.

**Fashion and Outfits:**
- The hosts rave about the fashionable outfits worn by drivers and celebrities throughout the weekend.
- They particularly admire Lewis Hamilton's sparkly attire and the collaboration between Tommy Hilfiger, Mercedes, and Awake for the race-inspired merchandise.
- The hosts praise the "Miami Dolphins Fashion Week" and the variety of outfits showcased by Lewis Hamilton.

**Miami Dolphins Involvement:**
- The Miami Dolphins actively participated in the Grand Prix, providing jerseys, hosting events, and promoting the race.
- The hosts commend the Dolphins for their efforts in engaging with fans and creating a lively atmosphere.

**F1 Miami Drivers Combine:**
- An NFL F1 driver combine took place on Thursday, featuring F2 and reserve drivers competing in various challenges.
- The hosts express surprise at Nico Hulkenberg securing a podium finish in the combine and hope that he receives a trophy for his achievement.

**Celebrities and Social Interactions:**
- Jimmy Butler and Esteban Ocon were spotted having dinner together, sparking curiosity among the hosts about their conversation and dining choices.
- The hosts acknowledge the increased media coverage of F1 in the United States, including interviews with drivers on social media and news outlets covering the race.

**GQ's Extensive Coverage:**
- GQ Sports had a significant presence at the race, conducting interviews with drivers and creating content that provided a unique perspective on the event.
- The hosts commend GQ's efforts in showcasing the personalities of the drivers and making F1 more accessible to a wider audience.

**American News Coverage of F1:**
- The hosts discuss the growing interest in F1 among American news outlets, which is evident in the increased coverage of the Miami Grand Prix.
- They emphasize the importance of this coverage in attracting new fans and raising awareness of the sport in the United States.

**Yellow Sector Notes:**
- The hosts provide "Yellow Sector Notes," which are brief messages of encouragement and optimism for each Formula One team.
- They highlight positive aspects of each team's performance, such as Aston Martin's consistent pace, Mercedes' progress, and Ferrari's improved pit stops.

**Conclusion:**
- The hosts wrap up the episode by thanking their production team and encouraging listeners to rate and review the podcast.
- They invite listeners to follow them on social media and express their thoughts and suggestions for future episodes.