Formula 1 drivers were complaining about traffic in Miami before they even got onto the circuit.
The concern was the state of the roads leading to the Miami International Autodrome, rather than the rivals they encountered on it.“Traffic is a bit of a topic,” admitted Yuki Tsunoda in yesterday’s FIA press conference. When Pierre Gasly pointed out Tsunoda could at least rely on a police escort to cut through the queues, the Red Bull driver added: “Luckily, this year – until last year it was a bit different!”
Nico Hulkenberg said he also needed help getting to the circuit because of the queues around it. “Traffic is definitely a topic here,” he said.
“Unfortunately this year, apparently the grand prix cut the police escort budget. So that’s going to be a bit of a… it would be nice to have that back for next year, please.”
The Mexican Grand Prix has long been notorious for suffering from poor traffic, but Norris believes the situation in Miami is now even worse.
“The traffic’s terrible,” he said. “Is it worse than Mexico? It might be, because in Mexico there’s kind of no roads. Here I’ve never seen so many roads, yet there’s still so much traffic. That’s the only thing I would probably change.”
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However Norris and many of the other drivers were complimentary about the welcome they’ve enjoyed at the event so far.
“Miami is a great place,” said Norris. “It’s a lot of fun for me personally. I have a lot of friends who are here so I came out on Sunday and spent a few days here. But it’s not only a good event, it’s busy.”
“I love everything about it,” said Gasly. “Miami is a cool city. It’s always got great energy in town and I love the fact that it’s one of those races with the time difference, you kind of get to come slightly earlier. So you get to spend some time – Tuesday, Wednesday gets quite busy – but I still find myself having a night out and going to some nice restaurants.
“You kind of feel the vibe of Miami, which is quite different to what we’re used to back in Europe. It’s one of these very, very cool places.
“I kind of envy Lando for getting his first race win here, because I’m sure Sunday night was definitely a cool one and one he’s going to remember. It’s one of those races [where] you want the Sunday to go well so you get a good reason to party on Sunday night.”
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2025 Miami Grand Prix
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Euro Brun (@eurobrun)
2nd May 2025, 8:26
Will Trump be joining this year? He had such a fun time last year.
Ferdi
2nd May 2025, 9:06
Champagne problems.
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
2nd May 2025, 9:09
Can anyone explain what Gasly means?
Does Yuki get preferential treatment in Miami?
Jere (@jerejj)
2nd May 2025, 9:54
A lack of police escort shouldn’t suddenly make getting to the circuit a struggle for drivers, especially compared to other major cities.
Bullfrog (@bullfrog)
2nd May 2025, 9:56
Blue flag!
Nulla Pax (@nullapax)
2nd May 2025, 10:14
What is Gasly referring to here?
Does Yuki get preferential treatment in Miami?
I truly do not know what this is about.
Ajaxn
2nd May 2025, 10:16
“When Pierre Gasly pointed out Tsunoda could at least rely on a police escort to cut through the queues,”
That’s a bit spicey from Gasly, i wonder if he was refering to Tsunoda being investigated by imigrations last year? ;0)
Jungle
2nd May 2025, 10:18
Did Hamilton bring his scooter?
Leo B
2nd May 2025, 12:57
So much belly aching from this generation of drivers. Russell and Gasley seem to be the ringleaders. Max is not far behind. Followed by Norris (who also complains about himself).
OlympicMike
2nd May 2025, 14:15
Does someone have the world’s smallest violin I can borrow?
Simon
2nd May 2025, 21:40
Sure…
https://media1.tenor.com/m/KgaNE2deR7UAAAAd/violin-tiny.gif
SteveR (@stever)
2nd May 2025, 14:16
Welcome to the real world. But I guess after flying in on a private jet, having to deal with traffic might be traumatic.
MichaelN
2nd May 2025, 16:41
The FIFA and IOC are infamous for demanding special road and highway lanes for themselves in host countries.
These guys are so enormously out of touch, it’s almost comical.
Dex
2nd May 2025, 16:52
Sorry, your lordship, for treating you like a human being and not royalty that you are. The only time any of you will deserve police escort is if you do something wrong, as far as I’m concerned.
ykiki (@ykiki)
2nd May 2025, 18:43
Wasn’t there an advisory put out (last week?) warning of ongoing highway construction in the area and to plan ahead if attending the GP?
If I live 3000 miles away and was aware of this…
Jane (@janedone)
2nd May 2025, 19:00
To be fair I used to live near a Miami and yes the traffic does sucks there. And yes I’m glad to have escaped from South Florida.
kcrossle (@kcrossle)
2nd May 2025, 20:13
My dad used to boast about passing Stirling Moss once… the lane he was in was moving faster than Moss’s leaving Silverstone (another notorious traffic problem).