More glitz than spectacle

With no broadcast, it was the celebrity guests who ultimately enjoyed the most airtime this weekend.

The glamour of Miami's waterfront should have made the Grand Prix a summer showcase, but the weekend unfolded more like a costume party than a true test of speed. Touted as a spectacular circuit conducive to overtaking, the race instead echoed the stifling drama of Monaco, with a parade of celebrities—many of whom knew nothing about Formula 1—filling the stands while the track itself struggled to provide good grip. Built in a hurry, the surface seemed rough and unforgiving, prompting calls for more test laps before the event and even a suggestion to move the race to a more experienced American venue. Beyond the shiny facade, the spectacle raised questions about the direction of the sport. The drivers wore helmets that resembled basketballs, with some even changing three different shells in a single weekend, while the cars themselves underwent cosmetic changes that did little to improve their performance. This scene would probably have baffled legends such as Fangio, Lauda, and Senna, and even a flamboyant character like James Hunt might have grimaced at the sight of sirens blaring from the paddock by the pool. In the end, what was billed as a historic event turned into a hollow exhibition, reminding fans that the heart of Formula 1 still beats on the track, not under the photographers' flashbulbs.