The Miami Formula 1 Grand Prix promised a spectacle unlike any other: cars racing along Biscayne Bay, past the arena, and over the bridge toward the port. The actual result? A track built within the parking lots of Hard Rock Stadium, a world away from the glitz of South Beach. Despite this, driving a McLaren on the Miami International Autodrome is an experience worth exploring.
The Track: A Suburban Reality
The Miami International Autodrome, the city’s first proper F1 course, is located 40 minutes north of South Beach, nestled in the suburbs. The original concept—a downtown track with waterfront views—was shelved in favor of a more feasible solution: utilizing existing stadium infrastructure. This makes logistical sense; grandstands, facilities, and parking are already in place. But it also means the track lacks the iconic Miami backdrop many expected.
The McLaren Amplified Experience
McLaren Amplified, an event held as part of the automaker’s Art Basel activations, granted a select group access to the Autodrome. Journalists and customers alike got to test McLaren’s performance vehicles, including the Senna, GT, Artura, and the newest 750S. The 3.4-mile track boasts 19 corners, moderate elevation changes, and two long straights—though a shortened version omitting turns 4-8 was used for this event.
On the Track: Tight Corners and Raw Speed
Driving the McLaren 750S on the Autodrome is exhilarating. The track is notably tight, with concrete barriers lining nearly every inch, leaving no room for error. The front straight allows for impressive speed, reminiscent of Virginia International Raceway, but flatter. Turns 2 and 3 can be taken flat-out in the agile 750S, leading into a back straight where hard braking is essential before turns 11-13.
The slowest sections—turns 14 and 15—are near 90-degree corners that drastically reduce speed. The back straight, however, is where the 750S’s twin-turbo V-8 shines, though nowhere near the 211 mph achieved by Lance Stroll in an F1 car. The final turns bring you back to the start/finish line. The track isn’t overly technical, favoring high-to-low speed transitions over complex maneuvers.
The 750S: A Refined Supercar
The McLaren 750S is a remarkable machine. It builds on the already impressive 720S, offering even more power, agility, tighter steering, and a luxurious cabin. It’s a testament to McLaren’s engineering prowess.
Reality Check: Not the Miami You Imagined
While driving on an F1 track is a bucket-list experience, the Miami Autodrome lacks the glamour many anticipated. Instead of racing through downtown with skyscrapers looming overhead, you’re navigating a parking lot. Yet, McLaren Amplified provides an opportunity to experience a real F1 course firsthand, and behind the wheel of a 740-hp supercar, it’s an experience worth having.
The Autodrome is a functional track, but it doesn’t capture the vibrant energy of Miami. Still, for those fortunate enough to participate, it’s a thrilling ride.
