F1's Miami Grand Prix will keep their fake marina See why it is an incredible place to watch a race

Miami Grand Prix MarinaCork Gaines/Insider

• F1's most anticipated race of the year was the inaugural Miami Grand Prix on a new track that surrounds Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL's Miami Dolphins.
• While the glitz and glamour of the race is being compared to the Monaco Grand Prix, the one thing Miami could not replicate was putting the race directly on the water.
• Instead, designers brought "water" to the Miami International Autodrome in the form of a marina with boats and fake "water."
• While many mocked the marina, it will be back in 2023.

Everything about the Miami Grand Prix screams, "luxury," sometimes even literally.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

But one part of the new track that everybody was talking about and wanted to see is "The Yachts at the MIA Marina." While officials originally wanted the race in the downtown area and on the water, that fell through, so they had to come up with something else.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

The area does have other activities for people not fortunate enough to snag tickets to the boats.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

But the stars of the area are clearly the boats, as everybody wanted photos in front of the marina.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

The one feature that seems to be the fascination of most is the fake water which is just painted plywood.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Ricardo Arduengo/Reuters

This led to many jokes and memes.

 

And media personalities going for a "swim."

 

To be fair, sports are more of a TV product these days, and on TV, the marina water looked realistic.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

More importantly for the people on the ground, it is a fabulous way to watch a race with real yachts from top manufacturers, including Azimut, Hinckley, and Midnight Express.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

That is if you can afford the tickets, which were being sold for $9,500 each for the 2022 race.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

Each boat can accommodate 15-20 guests and had a seating area on the dock that was stocked with snacks and drinks. There was also a QR code for ordering food or other drinks that includes an "elevated food and beverage experience" from the nearby Yacht Club Owners Lounge, which guests also have access to for additional seating options.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

The boats had bartenders on board and the tickets come with beer, white wine, and champagne. No red wine is allowed on the boats, presumably for fear of stains. Shoes are not allowed on the boats either.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

Each boat was different, but all came with elevated seating from the dock and TVs inside to watch the TV broadcast of the race. "Luxury restrooms" are also available nearby.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

A couple of the boats had a second level for an even higher view of the track.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

The boats also had a lower level, perhaps for a chance to get out of the sun and maybe even take a nap.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

Some of the boats had a more open-air concept.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

There were typically seating areas on the boats facing the dock, which also faced turns 6-8, some of the most important on the track.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

For those hoping to see the marina at a Miami Dolphins game, I have some bad news.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider

It is just a temporary structure. In fact, just about everything about the new track will be taken down after the race, except for the garage area and the track itself. So it will be interesting to see what the marina looks like next year.

Miami Grand Prix Marina      Cork Gaines/Insider