Organisers of F1’s inaugural Miami Grand Prix may have had the last laugh over the ‘fake marina’ that has been trolled on social media this week.
Formula 1 returns to Florida this weekend. The Miami International Autodrome is the eleventh different track in the USA in the sport’s history.
It is being billed as more than just a Grand Prix, and promoters are trying to put on a three-day racing festival.
Alongside the Grand Prix, the track will also host races from the Porsche Sprint Challenge and the W Series.
Fans can be entertained in the Hard Rock Beach Club away from the circuit. A number of DJs will perform at the venue across the three days. Excitingly, the club will host music stars Post Malone, The Chainsmokers, and Tiesto.
In addition, some teams and sponsors will have their displays and entertainment spots for the crowds to enjoy.
Read: F1 Miami Grand Prix: UK start time, how to watch, highlights channel
The Miami Gardens “campus” has the awesome Hard Rock Stadium, which hosts NFL games, at its centre – and it dominates views around the circuit.
However, the talk of the features this week is the Miami Grand Prix “marina” – a collection of boats in fake water.
Unsurprisingly, social media reacted by trolling the marina.
Twitter’s thoughts on the Miami Grand Prix Marina
F1 fans laughed at the absurdity of the fake water. For instance, One Twitter user said that the feature was “looking like Super Mario 64 water”.
Never missing an opportunity to make memes, fans got hard at work on Photoshop. Guenther Steiner ended up involved thanks to a user’s efforts – featuring the Haas boss and his lovely boat-based sponsorship photoshoot.
Meanwhile, IndyCar driver Conor Daly wanted to know how he could get out on the “water”.
“Wait, so whose boats are in the fake Miami GP [Grand Prix] marina?” asked Daly. “Do people buy tickets to be on the boats? Could I have trailered a pontoon down there and just had myself a weekend with the boys on the fake water? The Pontoon F1 party would be second to none. Welcome to America!”
Obviously, race organisers have noticed the online buzz. In an interview, managing partner Tom Garfinkel responded to all the reaction.
Race organisers respond
Talking to Autosport, Garfinkel remained light-hearted about the marina memes.
“I think we don’t take ourselves too seriously,” said the Hard Rock Stadium CEO. “We’re having some fun with it, right?
“I think people are enjoying it. The people on the back of those yachts watching the race will have fun, and I think people that are sort of poking fun at it, it’s funny, and it’s great. We’re not taking ourselves too seriously. We’re trying to have some fun with it.”
Apparently, the yacht-filled area serves an essential purpose in the name of hospitality. The Miami marina is next to a yacht club that features numerous places to get food and drink. Outside the restaurants, designers installed a fake beach with deck chairs and loungers so fans can soak up the Florida sun.
However, come race day, this may not be the case. Rain is expected, with a chance of thunder accompanying the wet weather.
Featured Image Credit: Getty
