Oscar Piastri takes F1 Grand Prix, but Miami is real winner
Miami Grand Prix to feature drivable F1 cars made out of LEGOs Ever wonder what a F1 care made out of LEGOs would look like? Well the Miami Grand Prix has you covered as these unveil these drivable cars ahead of Sunday’s race. Sports Pulse Formula 1 and Miami have agreed to a 10-year extension, […]
Miami Grand Prix to feature drivable F1 cars made out of LEGOs
Ever wonder what a F1 care made out of LEGOs would look like? Well the Miami Grand Prix has you covered as these unveil these drivable cars ahead of Sunday’s race.
Sports Pulse
Formula 1 and Miami have agreed to a 10-year extension, ensuring the Miami Grand Prix will continue through 2041.
The possibility of a night race is being discussed, although there are no immediate plans.
This year’s Grand Prix featured exciting racing, including Oscar Piastri’s third consecutive win and close battles throughout the field.
MIAMI GARDENS — Tom Garfinkel, managing partner of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix, wouldn’t say who had the idea first. No matter. The bigger point, really, is that both sides came to an understanding long before anyone was under the gun to make a commitment.
Miami wanted F1 for the long haul.
F1 wanted Miami for the long haul.
Oscar Piastri ended up taking the checkered flag in this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, but the real winner was the event itself.
More: You wish you could navigate South Florida traffic like McLaren’s Lando Norris | Habib
Is a nighttime Miami Grand Prix a possibility someday?
When officials announced a 10-year extension assuring there would be a Formula 1 race in South Florida at least through 2041, it was nearly akin to the Miami Dolphins giving first-round draft pick Kenneth Grant an extension on the rookie contract he hasn’t even signed yet. Think about it: It isn’t until next year’s Grand Prix that the two sides will hit the midpoint of their first contract.
“Securing that long-term extension here kind of tells the world, ‘OK, we’re here in the U.S., we’re here in Miami, we’re going to be here for a long time and we’re committed to this endeavor,” Garfinkel said hours before the weekend’s sold-out main event.
“I think having the extension allows us to invest more into the property, whether that is potentially the very preliminary discussions right now — whether to have a night race or not.”
Before anyone jumps to conclusions on racing after dark, Garfinkel added, “There’s no plans to do that right now.” Maybe not, but Garfinkel and his team have done enough homework to know that installing lights would cost in the neighborhood of $15 million to $20 million.
Garfinkel was orchestrating the weekend with an aching back, but race fans should be happy to know everything else about the situation has never seemed healthier, whether we’re talking on the track and off.
Grand Prix weekend offered no shortage of storylines
Fact is, race fans care about two things: The first is knowing there will be a race they can attend. The second is knowing the race will be worth watching. The weekend proved that not only is Item No. 1 secure, so too Item No. 2.
Last year everyone showed up expecting Max Verstappen to win. When he didn’t, it added an element of surprise to the F1 series that had long been lacking. Now? Piastri’s win was his third straight, but you still could make a case for Piastri, Lando Norris or Verstappen at any given time. That includes the Sprint support race in Miami that managed to cram about 81 laps of drama into an 18-lap dash.
Piastri took the lead for good in the Grand Prix on Lap 14 of the 57-lap race, but there was plenty of side-by-side battling going on as drivers jockeyed behind him. That included Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc. At one point, Hamilton did nothing to disguise his unhappiness with the team’s strategy over the radio, instructing those on the other end to “have a tea break.”
Victory assured, Piastri climbed from his car and celebrated by doing The Griddy, the touchdown dance favored by NFL players, in order to settle a bet. Piastri was goaded into it after meeting Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson. Problem was Piastri didn’t anticipate he’d win, so he didn’t bother to rehearse. It showed.
Square in the middle of the weekend’s action was Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old who set the track record in Sprint qualifying, then proved it was no fluke when he bumped Piastri out of the No. 3 slot on the starting grid for the Grand Prix, where he placed a respectable sixth.
Antonelli was so busy setting firsts this weekend, you had to know he’s not going away anytime soon. Antonelli will be only 34 when Miami’s extension runs its course. That’s still is five years younger than Hamilton.
Speaking of the dominant, world-champion drivers, spend no time feeling sorry for Verstappen. Even though he won the first two runnings of the Miami Grant Prix but finished fourth this go-round, he still came away hearing congratulations. He and girlfriend Kelly Piquet welcomed their first child together, daughter Lily, last week. Then Max hopped on his private plane, flew to South Florida with little time to get reacquainted with the 19-turn circuit, and claimed the Grand Prix pole anyway.
Lego cars turn F1 drivers into kids again
This year’s event included a wrinkle that brought a smile to everyone’s face. More than 125 Miami Gardens students attended a Q&A session with drivers, then were surprised at the unveiling of life-sized Lego models of actual Formula 1 cars. The kids weren’t the only ones acting like kids. A couple of hours before the Grand Prix, F1 drivers hopped in the electrically-powered Lego cars and did a parade lap around the circuit at a blistering 20-odd mph.
Hamilton called it the most fun parade lap they’ve ever had despite “some of the dirtiest driving” by rivals. George Russell admitted that Norris was irked at him over a crash in their Legomobiles. The spirit was contagious.
All for an F1 series that spent most of the 1990s racing anywhere but in the United States. You could say things changed after Liberty Media bought F1 in 2016. Not only is Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” series creating a new set of fans, but June 27 will see the world premiere of “F1,” starring Brad Pitt and made by filmmakers responsible for “Top Gun: Maverick.”
Pitt’s car for the film was on display all weekend at Hard Rock Stadium. If there was one aspect of this year’s event that left no one smiling, it’s traffic around the stadium moving at about the same pace as Pitt’s car, which wasn’t going anywhere. Traffic was exacerbated by lane closures and construction on the adjacent Florida Turnpike. Even F1 drivers griped about it.
Yet another aspect of the event that had a distinct “Miami” feel, you could say. But it was the exception, not the rule.
The Miami Grand Prix is here to stay. The Miami Open tennis tournament has been a success. Now it’s up to Stephen Ross’ other property — a certain local NFL team — to match the pace the Miami Grand Prix and F1 have set.
“If we can build a great event around it that’s authentically Miami and unique and different than any other event, then hopefully that’s something people say, ‘Well, that’s one on the calendar I want to go to every year,’ ” Garfinkel said.
Every year until 2041, it seems.Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.
Mexico’s altitude will test engines for NASCAR Cup, Xfinity Series teams this weekend
Drivers and teams will have more than each other to contend with when the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series race this weekend at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City. They’ll also have to contend with the elevation. The road course is about 7,500 feet above sea level — the next highest track in NASCAR is […]
Drivers and teams will have more than each other to contend with when the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series race this weekend at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
They’ll also have to contend with the elevation. The road course is about 7,500 feet above sea level — the next highest track in NASCAR is Las Vegas at about 2,000 feet elevation.
The higher elevation means thinner air. Air plays a key role in horsepower and cooling and those will be significant issues for teams.
Doug Yates, president and CEO of Roush Yates Engines, estimates that the thinner air could reduce horsepower as much as 20% for the 670-horsepower Cup engines.
Danny Lawrence, long time engine builder for Richard Childress Racing and its director of the Xfinity Series and vice president of alliance operations, said maximizing horsepower is challenging at such a high altitude.
“You’ve got to fool the engine to make it think that the conditions are better,” he told NBC Sports.
#NASCAR races this weekend at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City. The area is about 7,500 feet above sea level (Charlotte, NC, home to the teams is at 751 feet above sea level). Daniel Suarez talks about the challenges of competing at high elevation. pic.twitter.com/N2YzUAxQyQ
Daniel Suarez said the horsepower reduction will be minimal for drivers.
“I don’t think you have to drive different, but the cars are going to have more mechanical grip especially on the exit of the corners because you have less power,” he said. “We’re going to lose like 80 to 100 horsepower. That’s a lot. … But at the same time, in the high-speed corners, we’re going to lose a lot of downforce. We’re going to lose a little bit of everything.”
Racing at such elevation is new for the Cup Series. The Xfinity Series raced in Mexico City from 2005-08. The series averaged nearly seven engine failures per weekend (practice and the race) the first three years. The final year racing at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez saw no engine failures during the weekend.
“I would say we’re more concerned about the cooling and the components and the other things we have to ensure are properly set up,” Yates told NBC Sports.
NASCAR will allow each manufacturer to have two sets of hood louvers to run during practice Saturday to see which best cools the engine. Each manufacturer will select which hood louver it will use and all of its teams must use the one selected on its cars.
The only time the NASCAR Cup Series has had a podium celebration was for the Clash at the LA Memorial Coliseum exhibition races from 2022-24.
“The problem we have with the engine is the caution laps,” Trent Owens, crew chief for AJ Allmendinger, told NBC Sports. “It gets so hot under the caution laps, more so than the green laps.”
Under green flag conditions, the cars are at higher speeds and can get more air to cool. The slower speeds under caution means less air gets to the engine to cool it. As engines start to overheat, several problems can ensue.
“What happens with the engine management software is it goes into protection (mode) if you don’t get it cool enough before the restart,” Owens said. “So you’re trying to prevent that. It doesn’t shut the engine off, but it starts feeding it fuel and changing the timing and stuff like that where you lose horsepower.
“So, just having that stuff right is probably our concern that we normally don’t have to worry about at any (other) event.”
With NASCAR’s rule that engines must run two races, most of the engines that will run in Sunday’s Cup race will be that engine’s second race.
Yates said a lot of the Ford engines for the 2.42-mile road course in Mexico were run earlier this year at Martinsville, a half-mile short track.
Yates says the two courses share some similarities so that running one engine at both tracks makes sense.
“We shift at Martinsville every straightaway, every lap,” Yates said. “So the power curve actually shifted up quite a bit from years ago. As the engine group, we have the opportunity to change the intake manifold and the exhaust system today, so we can tune around the base engine and have power lower RPM range or higher RPM range with those two tuning tools.”
Young Motocross Rider Camden Trail Remembered After Tragic Accident at East Bend Motorsports
EAST BEND, N.C. (BTW21) — The motocross community is mourning the loss of Camden “Cam” William Trail, a 14-year-old rising motocross star from Bassett, Virginia, who tragically passed away on June 7 following a mid-air collision during a practice session at East Bend Motorsports in North Carolina. According to race official Travis Rominger, the incident happened […]
EAST BEND, N.C. (BTW21) — The motocross community is mourning the loss of Camden “Cam” William Trail, a 14-year-old rising motocross star from Bassett, Virginia, who tragically passed away on June 7 following a mid-air collision during a practice session at East Bend Motorsports in North Carolina.
According to race official Travis Rominger, the incident happened at the finish line jump when two riders collided in mid-air.
Video footage reviewed by race organizers indicated that the crash was a heartbreaking accident with no fault attributed to either rider.
Rominger, who was the first to reach Camden after the crash, shared that medical professionals—including paramedics, EMTs, and nurses—were on the scene within a minute.
Despite over an hour of life-saving efforts, Trail could not be revived.
In the ambulance, Trail’s parents told Rominger that their son died doing what he loved. “Their faith is very strong,” Rominger said in a statement released by the facility. “We ask the entire EBMX family to lift this family up in prayer during this unthinkable time.”
Camden Trail was born April 6, 2011, in Roanoke, Virginia.
A vibrant and ambitious young man, he had a deep passion for motocross and a love for anything outdoors or with an engine.
His infectious smile and joyful spirit left lasting impressions on all who knew him.
Beyond motocross, Camden ran his own business, Cam’s Lawn Care, showcasing a rare work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit for someone so young.
He was also known for his love of dancing, his loyalty to friends, and the way he brought joy to every room he entered.
A funeral service will be held Tuesday, June 10 at 7 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Bassett, with visitation beginning at 5:30 p.m. Burial will be held privately.
In the wake of this tragedy, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to support the Trail family with funeral and memorial expenses.
Organizers of the fundraiser described Camden as “more than a talented rider — he was a beloved son, friend, and inspiration to everyone who knew him.”
The motocross world now rides with a heavy heart, honoring a young life cut far too short, but forever remembered.
RCR forced to make changes before Kyle Busch heads to Mexico – Motorsport – Sports
NASCAR heads to Mexico City this weekend for the first points race outside of the United States in the modern era, but while Daniel Suarez has benefited from a special sponsorship agreement due to his Mexican ties, Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing have been forced to make changes. While NASCAR has traveled to Mexico […]
NASCAR heads to Mexico City this weekend for the first points race outside of the United States in the modern era, but while Daniel Suarez has benefited from a special sponsorship agreement due to his Mexican ties, Kyle Busch and Richard Childress Racing have been forced to make changes.
While NASCAR has traveled to Mexico for exhibition races, there has never been a competitive Cup Series race south of the U.S. border. NASCAR is looking to expand by adding more international drivers to the stock car series and has taken inspiration from Formula One.
In addition to racing in Mexico, NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps has entertained taking the Cup Series to Brazil. However, as Busch and RCR have discovered, switching locations can lead to sponsorship issues.
RCR has been forced to cover several active sponsors ahead of Sunday’s race at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Due to advertising laws in Mexico, alcohol sponsors have been covered up.
Some products containing less than six percent alcohol must undergo a permitting process to be authorized. Due to strict regulations, all nicotine, tobacco, and CBD logos have also been covered.
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Casinos and gambling sponsors are permitted if they are licensed in Mexico, but others will be banned. Several NASCAR teams, including RCR, have been covering their haulers ahead of the race, and some cars also need a makeover.
BetMGM and 3Chi have previously sponsored Busch’s No. 8 Chevrolet, but both sponsors are banned from advertising in Mexico. Despite the operational changes impacting teams, Phelps is still excited to make history.
“I’m excited. It’s the first time we’ve taken the Cup Series in the modern era outside our own borders,” Phelps told Motorsport.com. “It’s a big stage for us, and we need to make sure we make it.
“I think the Mexican fans are going to come, they’re going to support us, and I think it’s going to be a great show. Our drivers will love the circuit, and maybe, who knows, we can have our drivers, at some point, come to Brazil and have a race in Sao Paulo.”
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Phelps has made it clear that Brazil could be a future destination, as he added: “I’d like to see it happen. Obviously, we need all parties to come together and understand how important that would be for NASCAR in general and for the category.
“But I personally would be very excited about it. We’d like to have a Brazilian (driver) come out of NASCAR Brazil, come and race with us full-time, and, you know, compete for wins and championships.
“So we’re excited about this prospect, I was very impressed with the number of drivers I saw and how fast they were and their abilities, and we’re excited about this happening in the future.”
Tickets On Sale for 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto
INDYCAR Public sales for all 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto multiday tickets are underway at hondaindy.com. The 37th edition of the motorsports festival headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns July 18-20 to Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto. The longstanding summer event again will bring high-speed racing action to Toronto’s downtown streets alongside a […]
Public sales for all 2025 Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto multiday tickets are underway at hondaindy.com. The 37th edition of the motorsports festival headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES returns July 18-20 to Exhibition Place in downtown Toronto.
The longstanding summer event again will bring high-speed racing action to Toronto’s downtown streets alongside a festival atmosphere full of family fun with interactive displays and diverse food and beverage options. The weekend offers great value for families, as children 12 and under receive free general admission every day when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
On track, the NTT INDYCAR SERIES will take on the 1.786-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit built on Exhibition Place near the Lake Ontario shoreline.
On Friday, July 18, Your Ontario Honda Dealers Present Free Fan Friday, which offers general admission courtesy of the Ontario Honda Dealers Association through a voluntary donation to Make-A-Wish Canada. Since 2010, Toronto Indy fundraising has raised over $1 million for the charity.
Fans can further enhance their Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto experience by purchasing a Paddock Pass, which grants access to the “locker room of motorsports.” Spectators looking to get even closer to the action can add a Pit Pass. For children ages 5-12, the Rookie Racers program offers behind-the-scenes experiences including access to the drivers and race cars.
Pricing starts at $85 for 2-Day General Admission for Saturday and Sunday. Fans planning on using public transportation can purchase a GO Combo ticket that includes a 2-Day General Admission ticket and two round-trip GO Transit fares to and from the event for $90 at hondaindy.com/promotions.
Bronze-level 2-Day Grandstand seating is available for $110. Silver and Gold levels are priced at $170 and $235, respectively. The Gold 2-Day Grandstand seat also includes a Paddock Pass ($80 value).
For full ticket pricing and 2025 event information and news, visit hondaindy.com or follow Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Toronto on social media using #indyTO.
Factory team refines Porsche 963 setup ahead of 24 Hours of Le Mans
Photo credit: Porsche Porsche Penske Motorsport used Sunday’s test day at the Circuit des 24 Heures to fine-tune its three factory 963 hybrid prototypes ahead of the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans. With temperatures just above 20 °C and light clouds, the team completed 194 laps—covering 2,643 km—across two three-hour sessions. Drivers reported a […]
Porsche Penske Motorsport used Sunday’s test day at the Circuit des 24 Heures to fine-tune its three factory 963 hybrid prototypes ahead of the 93rd 24 Hours of Le Mans. With temperatures just above 20 °C and light clouds, the team completed 194 laps—covering 2,643 km—across two three-hour sessions. Drivers reported a consistently balanced car after evaluating multiple setup options and testing new components.
“It was a very productive test day, during which we ticked off a full to-do list with all three cars,” said Urs Kuratle, director of factory racing LMDh. The team ran Michelin medium tyres throughout, anticipating warmer race-week conditions. “We wrapped up the day incident-free, and the drivers provided positive feedback,” added Jonathan Diuguid, managing director at Porsche Penske Motorsport.
Photo credit: Porsche
Formula E world champion Pascal Wehrlein turned his first laps on the 13.626 km circuit in the No. 4 Porsche 963, while reserve driver Nico Müller prepared in the sister No. 5 car. Customer squad Proton Competition also logged 60 laps in its own Porsche 963. In the LMGT3 class, Manthey’s Iron Dames entry (#85) covered 872 km and the No. 90 and No. 92 911 GT3 R cars completed a combined 133 laps, using the unique mix of permanent track and public roads.
Driver feedback was uniformly positive. Felipe Nasr praised progress on brake and body-part testing, Mathieu Jaminet noted room for fine-tuning against a tight field, and Kévin Estre highlighted insights gained despite a late red-flag interruption. Manthey drivers Rahel Frey, Antares Au and Riccardo Pera all reported smooth, incident-free runs and a solid baseline for race preparations.
No on-track action is scheduled for Monday or Tuesday. Free practice and qualifying begin Wednesday, and the 24-hour race starts Saturday, 14 June at 4 pm CEST. Coverage in Germany will air on Nitro and Eurosport, with live streaming via the FIA WEC and ACO apps.
