Influencer Culture, Lack Of Fan-Focus Amongst Biggest Miami Grand Prix Gripes
The 2025 Miami Grand Prix delivered a vibrant fan experience blending high-octane Formula 1 racing with Miami’s cultural flair, drawing over 275,000 attendees and boosting the local economy by an estimated $400 million.
While some fans praised the event’s diverse entertainment, improved ticketing options, and immersive activations, some criticised high costs and ‘celebrity culture’ that sullied the race-day experience for many.
What Made the 2025 Miami Grand Prix Fan Experience Unique?
The Miami Grand Prix has carved a distinct niche on the F1 calendar since 2022, merging motorsport with Miami’s party atmosphere. In 2025, fans experienced a festival-like weekend that extended beyond the 57-lap, 308.326 km race. The event featured chart-topping performers like Marc Anthony, Kaytranada, and Steve Aoki, alongside local art displays and 65 food vendors, up from 34 in 2022. Fans like
@carosedici on X lauded the “entertainment for the fans, things to eat, hydrating stations,” describing it as a “great” experience despite on-track challenges for their favourite team. The Hard Rock Stadium setting, offering views into the F1 Team Village, gave general admission ticket holders rare paddock access, a feature unique to Miami.
@Rossoblu18, initially sceptical about the track, was “beyond impressed” by Friday’s practice sessions, citing the event’s smooth organisation. These sentiments highlight how Miami’s blend of racing and cultural immersion set it apart, creating a multi-sensory spectacle.
Influencer Culture vs Race Culture
For Kayla Salisbury, a Miami resident and creator of the Instagram profile @thef1miagirlie, the event was enjoyable yet overdone, with organisers seemingly focusing more on celebrity and influencer culture than the experience of hard-core racing enthusiasts.
“This was my 4th time attending the Formula 1 Miami GP at Hard Rock Stadium, and it is a race like no other. It’s more than a race. It’s the ultimate Miami experience. The heat and humidity are relentless, even with the rain this year. There are DJs in almost every section, music blasting, Latin food at every stand, plenty of drink options, even your must-have cortadito pick me up for those extra-long track days. As a tourist, I can see the appeal. You are getting THE Miami experience as well as the race. As a local and 12-year F1 fan, it’s a bit overdone.
“I sat in the Beach Grandstands, which oversaw turns 11,12, and 13. I think these are the best seats in the house because you see the cars slow down, overtake, spin out, and crash. It’s very exciting. You also have a view of the Beach Club across the way. You can hear and see the DJs and performers like Steve Aoki and Pitbull. You can also hear the American Social tent behind the stands playing music, even during the national anthem and trophy ceremony.
“We have a Marina section with real boats sitting in an “ocean” that is a plastic sheet; the lay is supposed to look like water. It’s giving the Temu version of Monaco. The beach hospitality suites are about the party, the pool, and the DJs. No one is watching the race, and the view from the cabanas is limited compared to the grandstand across. You see people partying, swimming, and getting caked by Steve Aoki. You see all the Miami girls and abuelas with their BBLs, and plastic surgery, sipping their margaritas (which are delicious by the way), and men who peaked in high school fist pumping while Lewis Hamilton is just trying to overtake Esteban Ocon.
“People are going simply for the hype and the Miami vibes, or the fear of missing out, more than they are there to see the race and embrace the race culture. I saw an F1 Miami Instagram reel where people couldn’t name the drivers or the teams. It’s embarrassing. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting different hospitality suites over the years. And, so far, this is what I see: People are there to network, promote a brand, and get the perfect pictures and videos for their Instagram clout. And so far, every hospitality suite I’ve visited is close to the track, but the views are the worst to see real race action. Not many are there to watch and enjoy the race. I saw many people who did not have grandstand tickets sitting in the grandstands to take their videos and pictures and then leave. Several times, I had to tell people to please get out of my seat.
“The Miami GP has become very influencer-heavy and not fan-focused, diminishing the experience of actual fans. As an inaugural attendee, I was thrilled to have access to the opening night party and the pit walk, which gave us more as real fans than in previous years, when all the access was given to “new to the sport” influencers and celebrities. Don’t get me wrong; celebrity attendance has always been big in Formula 1, but in Miami, it’s all the glitz and glamour, which distracts from the race culture. When you think of traditional Formula 1, you think of Monaco—old money, famous drivers, and families. In Miami, it’s new money.
“I’ve also attended the Canadian GP in Montreal in 2018. And while this was a more traditional track, with no glitz and glamour. I HAD THE MOST FUN. Everyone there was a real fan who was there for the sport, the danger, the adrenaline, the history, and the culture. Everyone was so friendly and kind. You can bring your coolers, chairs, food, and drinks. They go by stadium rules in Miami—clear bags, no food or beverages, no stadium cushions, etc.
“As an inaugural attendee, I’ve renewed my tickets at a price similar to my first year. Now, as a grandstand member, I get 10% off my renewal tickets, food and drink voucher incentives, and the ability to renew my seats early so I don’t have to worry about losing my spot. Parking isn’t bad. You must pay for parking at a nearby lot and then take a shuttle to the venue and back. The shuttle drops you off right by your stands, which is very convenient. Merch is overpriced. I don’t have much to say. As a fan, I still buy things because it’s the name of the game. But the same hats and jerseys are almost half off on the brand’s website. But I always buy at the MIA shop, which is unique to the F1 Miami experience.
“Despite the delivery, I plan to return every year to Miami because I love the sport, it’s close to home, and I still have a good time. I’m used to all things Miami, so I don’t mind,” said Salisbury.
How Did Ticketing Options Shape Fan Satisfaction?
Ticketing flexibility was a major focus for 2025, addressing past criticisms of high costs. Organisers introduced single-day grandstand tickets, starting at $65 for Friday’s practice and $505 for Sunday’s race, alongside the 3-day Campus Pass at $430.
Tyler Epp, President of the Miami Grand Prix, noted that 81% of single-day grandstand buyers were first-time attendees, drawn by the lower entry point. This responded to fan feedback about affordability, as earlier races saw Sunday general admission passes priced at $500. The LuxePass, allowing access to different luxury hospitality spaces each day, catered to fans seeking varied experiences. However, some fans, like @pluginmaybe on X, felt the event was “fleecing the fans” with premium pricing and a track lacking character.
For F1 podcaster Sabrina from the “2 Guys, A Girl, and F1” podcast, deciding to stay at home in Texas to watch on TV came down to a question of value for money.
“As a dedicated F1 fan and podcast host from Texas, I made the conscious decision to skip Miami this year, though the competitive first stint of this year’s race has me reconsidering for 2026.
“For me, the decision came down to value proposition. While Miami offers glamour, the combined costs of premium-priced tickets, accommodations, and flights make it a significant investment that’s increasingly targeting the celebrity crowd rather than dedicated motorsport enthusiasts. As a Texan, COTA remains more logistically convenient and delivers exceptional racing without the same price premium.
“What would change my mind? More comprehensive racing. I’m particularly interested in seeing the feeder series (F2 and F3) added to Miami’s schedule. While I appreciate F1 Academy’s inclusion, witnessing tomorrow’s talent developing their racecraft adds tremendous value to a race weekend experience.
“The entertainment aspect isn’t a major draw for me—I’d rather spend evenings exploring Miami’s local cuisine or connecting with fellow fans to discuss the day’s action. I’d also love to see the promotion shift toward showcasing modern Miami’s unique culture and character beyond the beach stereotypes.
“If Miami created all-inclusive packages that handled the logistics from airport arrival through race weekend, that would definitely increase its appeal. What truly caught my attention this year was the competitive on-track action during the first stint. While I’m not a fan of Sprint races in general, the wet conditions did add an interesting variable to the weekend. If Miami continues delivering that level of racing drama, it might just earn a spot on my must-attend calendar despite the premium price tag.”
How Did the Miami Grand Prix Impact the Local Economy?
The Miami Grand Prix significantly boosted Miami’s economy, with an estimated $400 million impact in 2024, likely matched or exceeded in 2025. Over 275,000 attendees, including international visitors, filled hotels, restaurants, and nightlife venues. The Elser Hotel and Jatina Group Villas reported high demand for luxury accommodations near the track, with Villa Pads offering private pools and concierge services.
Local businesses, from Bodega’s street tacos to Giselle Miami’s F1-inspired menu, thrived during race week. The event’s community restaurant program highlighted smaller vendors, bringing Miami Gardens’ flavours to the track.
Off-track events like the Racing Fan Fest and Carbone Beach’s exclusive supper club attracted thousands, further driving revenue.
The Miami Marlins’ home game and Cinco de Mayo festivities on May 5 extended the economic surge, with bars and restaurants hosting carnival-style events. This influx cemented Miami’s status as a global destination, with the Grand Prix’s 10-year contract extension to 2041 ensuring long-term economic benefits.
F1 Loses The TV Race To NASCAR
On a weekend that saw three major motorsport events held in the country on one weekend; the Miami Grand Prix for F1, the Children’s of Alabama Indy Grand Prix, and NASCAR’s Wurth 400 in Texas, F1 lost the battle for TV ratings to their tin-top counterparts.
According to stats from Sportsnaut, the Wurth 400 at Texas Motor Speedway, broadcast on Fox Sports 1, attracted an impressive 2.560 million viewers, surpassing the audience drawn by the Miami Grand Prix on ABC.
Formula 1’s viewership, excluding the pre-race coverage, reached 2.1 million viewers, marking a significant decrease from the inaugural event, which attracted 3.1 million viewers on the same platform.
For music visionary Zazie, the race footage was frustrating, but the audio was music to his ears.
“I watched the 2025 Miami Grand Prix from home this year, and honestly, I’m glad I didn’t drop thousands on a ticket. As a solo creative who builds immersive sound experiences, I’m always interested in the vibe as much as the racing — and while the race had some strong moments, the broadcast production felt more like a concert teaser than a race. The constant cutaways to influencers in cabanas and branded content montages broke the pacing, and you could feel the event trying hard to be Coachella-with-cars.
“That said, Verstappen’s qualifying pace was clinical, and I actually liked the updated camera angles — the low-ground shots on the start/finish straight had some real cinematic heft. I streamed the entire race through F1TV and monitored audio through my studio speakers, and I’ll say this: they’ve finally figured out how to mix crowd ambiance and engine tone without washing everything in compression.
“I’d go next year if I knew it would be more about the racing and less about the hype — but for now, I’m sticking with the at-home rig: pause button, custom EQ, and no overpriced water bottles.”
What Can Fans Expect in Future Miami Grand Prix Events?
The 2025 Miami Grand Prix set a high bar, but organisers are already planning refinements. Tyler Epp emphasised a “refine, not redefine” approach, with plans to expand food options, improve parking logistics, and enhance visibility for lower-tier tickets.
Fan feedback will drive changes, as seen in the single-day ticket introduction. The event’s growing popularity, with over 80,000 Racing Fan Fest visitors across the weekend, suggests even larger crowds in 2026.
Continued community engagement, like partnerships with local chefs and artists, will keep Miami’s culture central. For fans, the promise of more accessible pricing and streamlined logistics could address lingering pain points, ensuring the Grand Prix remains a must-see event.
Having lived in Lantana, Florida for a few years, I can truly say I am not a fan of the whole Miami culture thing. It's like what Bono said to Sir Lews about Ibiza, "It's too peoplely" by which I suspect he meant more the type of people likely to go. That's Miami. We're lucky to have three races here in the States, and it makes sense that we have one on each coast but if I was going to chose which one to attend, it would be Austin. Vegas is fun if you get into the mindset of excess in all matters, but it's not my idea of an F1 venue.