The Paddocks

The official name on the building is Hard Rock Stadium, but the local press often refers to the venue by its former title, the Miami Orange Bowl. The site sits on the campus of Florida International University. The surface is concrete and tarmac, not grass, and that distinction gives it a different character from the football grounds in the city. The atmosphere is different too; the away end never stopped once the cars fired up for the first time.

The grandstand itself is massive, built with steel girders that are visible through the open sections of the roof. It is not a closed bowl. The distance from the pit lane to the spectators is very short. The barriers are low, and you can see the mechanics working in their teams' colours without straining. The sun is hot in Miami, so the shade from the roof is a necessity rather than a luxury. The track is tight and technical, requiring the drivers to stay in the zone. The crowd is loud, a mix of Formula 1 fans and local residents who come out for the spectacle. The cars are fast, but the tight corners mean they are never out of second gear for long.