• 150 students get a unique behind-the-scenes tour of Miami International Speedway on its first day this year’s Formula 1® event.
• Students from the Miami Gardens and South Florida community enjoy special access to Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 garage, pit lane, F1 ACADEMY support paddock and the winners’ podium.
• The community evening concludes with the Business of F1 Workshop with special guests Susie Wolff, Managing Director of the F1 ACADEMY, Jason Arthur, CEO of Mission 44 and Tyler Epp, President of the Miami Grand Prix.
• Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 driver Lewis Hamilton also hosts a special Q&A session on number of local students.
MIAMI GARDENS, FL. – On the opening day of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, a unique opportunity was given to some local students, from elementary school to college age, to visit the Miami International Speedway. Miami Gardens students were treated to a behind-the-scenes tour of the Formula 1 venue that included a pit lane walk, a tour of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team garage and the F1 ACADEMY support paddock. In addition, members of the SEEK Foundation attended a special question and answer session with seven-time FIA Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton organized by the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team in their team hospitality.
Each year, South Florida Motorsports, organizers of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX, invites 150 students to the Miami International Speedway from the local community. This year, a number of students aged 16 and over participated in a Business of F1 Community Workshop featuring three guest speakers: Susie Wolff, CEO of F1 ACADEMY, Jason Arthur, CEO of Mission 44 and Tyler Epp, President of FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. Students were able to chat with these organizational leaders in a small group setting and learn about their own motorsport journeys.
The students came from various schools in Miami Gardens and South Florida, in addition to groups from SEEK Foundation (Seeking Education Empowers Knowledge), Big Brothers Big Sisters, Fab Lab, Girl Power Rocks, college interns from MIA Academy and also students from Miami Dade College, with the latter having programs specializing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math). During the Business of F1 Community Workshop, Susie Wolff spoke about the leadership and positive impact the F1 ACADEMY has had in inspiring women to start careers in motorsport — with the second round of the series taking place in Miami at the weekend . Mission 44 CEO Jason Arthur led students through a STEM activity and discussed the work the organization, founded by Sir Lewis Hamilton, is undertaking to create a fairer, more inclusive future for young people around the world, including of creating career opportunities in motorsport.
“We are delighted to welcome so many local students to Miami International Speedway today for our community night,” said Tyler Epp, President of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX. “It was great for them to get a special insight into a Formula 1 team garage and hear from our special guests Susie Wolff and Jason Arthur. Miami Gardens is at the heart of this event and we are proud to connect with the youth of the local community. We hope that their visit today will inspire them to pursue future careers in innovation, science and technology.”
Susie Wolff, MBE, F1 ACADEMY, Managing Director, added: “Our mission at F1 ACADEMY is to increase participation in motorsport – both on and off the track. We want to inspire a new generation of young women and send a clear message. there is a place for you in our sport. We are proud to contribute to today’s event with Mission 44 and the Miami Grand Prix and to speak to students from the local community about the wide range of career paths available to them in motorsport.”
Jason Arthur, CEO of Mission 44, said: “Mission 44 was started by Sir Lewis Hamilton to build a fairer and more inclusive future for young people around the world. As we further expand our work in the US, we are pleased to partner with F1 ACADEMY and Miami International Autodrome to improve diversity in motorsports. Today’s event was a fantastic opportunity for Mission 44 to hear directly from young people in Miami about what more we can all do to support them to succeed in STEM careers and motorsport.”
Now in its third edition, race organizers South Florida Motorsports and Formula 1 have worked closely together to collaborate and support the local Miami Gardens community, providing over 1,500 tickets for residents, sponsoring a STEM education program through F1 in schools, offering internship events for local students and has 10 local community restaurants on Campus during game weekend each year.
On the opening day of this year’s event, there were also a number of special activities held at the Miami Gardens venue. In a special tribute to mark the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna’s death, a special mural has been unveiled at the end of the Paddock Club building, next to FIA Race Control at the Miami International Circuit. Tom Garfinkel, Managing Partner of the FORMULA 1 CRYPTO.COM MIAMI GRAND PRIX introduced Brazilian street artist Eduardo Kobra, who created the mural, while Ayrton’s niece Bianca Senna was present at the unveiling.
The F1 Team Village, located at the home of the Miami Dolphins in the center of Hard Rock Stadium, hosted a unique crossover activation between F1 drivers and footballers with a special punt catch challenge featuring Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Carlos. Sainz and RB drivers Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda. The Dolphins players involved were cornerback Siran Neal, linebacker David Long Jr. and Wide Receivers Braxton Berrios and Mathew Sexton.
Ahead of the racing action starting tomorrow, there was an opportunity for several Dolphins players to also experience a high-speed thrill ride around the 3.36-mile Miami International Autodrome. Those enjoying a ride were Cornerback Jalen Ramsey, Wide Receiver Jaylen Waddle, Linebackers Jaelan Phillips, Bradley Chubb, David Long Jr. and Running Back Raheem Mostert.
The sixth round of this year’s FIA Formula 1 World Championship begins with a single practice session tomorrow, followed by Sprint Qualifying in the afternoon. There is also support action from F1 ACADEMY and Porsche Carrera Cup North America, while entertainment on Campus comes from Marc Anthony, who will perform the national anthem on Sunday, Kaytranada, who will take the podium after the race, as well as Ed Sheeran, Steve Aoki and more who will be on stage at the Hard Rock Beach Club.