F1 Miami Grand Prix to ditch controversial driver introductions at pre-race show

New f▨ormat for Miami Grand Prix ceremony after controversy last year

Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 6, Miami Grand Prix, Miami, Florida, USA, Sprint
Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1. Formula 1 World Championship, Rd 6, Miami Grand Prix,…

The F1 Miami Grand Prix will not feature the pre-race driver introducti🦋ons that caused a stir last year.

In 2023, every F1 driver on the grid was introduced to aꦦn adoring crowd before the grand prix in a ceremony led by rapper LL Cool J.

The unique show was not a resounding success, and was met with scathing criticism from many fans watching on TV💎 and from the grandstands.

Additionally it required drivers to spend extra time in ꧒the hot su⛄n before the race, which did not go down well.

But before Sunday’s 2024 grand prix, the p꧋re-race show has be🐎en rethought.

There will be no driver i✱ntroductions, for a start, report.

Instead, a giant screen will run through the 20 driver♕s who will race.

Marc Anthony, a six-time Grammy 🌺winner, will sing the American national anthem.

Musicians ♑Ed Sheeran, John Summit, Kaytranada and Steve Aoki have also performed during the weekend.

☂Guenther Steiner has told drivers to൲ embrace the changing format for the showpiece Miami event.

The former Haas team principal🎀 is now an ambassador f♉or the Miami Grand Prix.

He said: "I think the drivers need to understand that they're♛ in a💃 unique spot.

"If something is new, it's easier to be negative than po🅠sitive.

“Even if you 🍸don't enjoy it, put your best effort into it because it makes a lot of p🍌eople happy.

"Obviousl🍰y, racing 💮needs to be the most important thing, but you can give people a lot of entertainment outside of the racing.

"Maybe 20 years ago, we just wanted to go and see a race, but now kids want to have a full experience and I think🐈 Miami has brought that to thꩲe calendar.

"Promoters saw that this works beca🅺use you attract people to the sport, which is what we want."

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