F1 Comes to Miami: Watches to Make a Race Day Statement

When it comes to Formula 1 racing, there is no venue quite like Miami. One part of the three-race United States Grand Prix series, Miami is typically the first American F1 race of the calendar year – and with a track like this one, it’s no surprise that this race attracts a wide range of spectators from near and far.

This year, Miami will be hosting Formula 1 and all of its fans for the weekend of May 2 through May 4, 2025. Practice sessions and qualifying races will take place Friday and Saturday, leading up to the main event: the Grand Prix race itself on Sunday, of course!

Throughout the years, Formula 1 has become the pet sport of the uber-wealthy, and Formula 1 fashion and accessories have grown into a major market. Watches are no exception, particularly luxury timepieces from the likes of Richard Mille, a new-age Swiss watchmaker who has partnered with a variety of F1 drivers to create versatile, durable, and comfortable watches that can withstand even speeding around the hairpin turns of a Formula 1 track.

Today, let’s dive deeper into the history of Formula 1 in Miami and the perfect watches to show that you’re a true fan of this jaw-dropping sport. Whether you’re watching the race from a private box, the grandstands, or your television at home, we’ll spotlight some of our favorite watches for Formula 1 fans.

Formula 1 and the United States Grand Prix

Now the most popular annual sporting series across the globe, Formula 1 Racing has its roots in the European Grand Prix championships of nearly a century ago. From the 1950s through the 1990s, Formula 1 operated in the United States under a variety of different names and on many diverse tracks. After the 1991 Phoenix Street Circuit, however, F1 ceased to exist in the USA until the 21st century, although the sport remained incredibly popular abroad, particularly in Europe and the Middle East.

After a rocky re-entry to the U.S. market in the early 2000s, things finally were looking up for Formula 1 racing in America in 2012, when Austin, TX won a 10-year contract to hold a Grand Prix event and erected a purpose-built track specifically for high-speed racing. Austin’s bid to bring F1 back to the USA was a resounding success, with race weekend turning into a high-octane festival that has attracted performance acts like Bruno Mars, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, and even Taylor Swift over the years.

But how to expand the audience for this riveting sport even further? U.S.-based company Liberty Media, which had acquired Formula 1 in 2017, had an idea… and it came in the form of a Netflix show. You guessed it: Drive to Survive. This sporty take on “reality TV” injected Formula 1 with another shot of life, and viewership both in the U.S. and abroad skyrocketed. That was exactly the push that the sport needed to bring two more races to the USA.

With Magic City (Miami) and Sin City (Las Vegas) joining the fray, the United States Grand Prix series was complete.

Miami x Formula 1

The first Formula 1 race in Miami occurred in 2022 at the Miami International Autodrome, a temporary track constructed around the Miami Dolphins NFL stadium. The next few years continued the trend, with the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix shattering attendance records for high performance auto racing in the United States. In 2025, the fourth annual Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix returns to Hard Rock Stadium. The race takes place over 57 laps, and will occur over the weekend of May 2 - 4, 2025.

Each lap at Miami International Autodrome is about 5.4 kilometers long, and the entire race consists of over 308 kilometers. The lap record is held by legendary driver Max Verstappen, clocking in at 1:29.708 in 2023. The stadium was designed to have a street-track feel, not unlike the Formula 1 course in Melbourne’s Albert Park. Centered around the Dolphins’ stadium, there are 19 thrilling turns as well as three longer straights, elevation changes, and top speeds of over 350 km/h (about 217 mph).

Miami is an excellent Formula 1 host – and the reasons why go far beyond its impeccable stadium design. Hard Rock Stadium Certainly knows how to put on a show. Dolphins games are just the beginning – the venue has also hosted six Super Bowls, two World Series in baseball, and countless concerts. In addition to the world-class venue, visitors and locals alike will get to soak up the rich heritage of Magic City. Known around the world for its art deco atmosphere, multicultural culinary scene, pulsing nightlife, and sandy beaches, there are few Formula 1 locations that can compare.

Watches to Wear the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix

Formula 1 in Miami has a unique, upscale, and opulent character set on a backdrop of Florida’s most vibrant metropolis. The city is also known for its fashion culture in the famed Design District – so whether you’re cheering on your favorite F1 team or dining out on the town, it’s crucial to dress the part. Lucky for you, luxury watches are a great way to show your connection to Formula 1 in an elevated – and elegant – way.

Richard Mille has considered Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc one of its premier “friends and partners” for over a decade. Leclerc got his start on the Formula 2 circuit and made his Formula 1 debut during the 2018 season, driving for the Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 team. He joined team Scuderia Ferrari in 2019 and has won eight grand prix across his eight seasons.

Charles Leclerc wears a prototype version of this colorful RM 67-02 watch. The Monegasque driver helped to design the RM 67-02 prototype, which shows off an ultra-thin profile and allows the brand to try out new technical solutions on Charles’ wrist as he speeds around racing tracks across the world. You can channel your own inner F1 driver with this attractive watch in a red, white, and blue color palette. The 47 mm case shows off the classic tonneau shape that Richard Mille has become known for. Plus, the textile strap makes this watch comfortable year-round.

Brazilian Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa is perhaps one of Richard Mille’s most prolific partners. He began his Formula 1 career in 2002 and never began a race without a Richard Mille watch on his wrist. During his time with Formula 1, he raced with Ferrari and Williams before moving on to other motorsports disciplines after the 2017 season. With an incredible 15-year career in the sport, it’s no surprise that Massa has amassed such a strong fan base.

Looking to honor the drivers who set the stage for this sport’s modern success and set the records that young drivers now strive to break? The Felipe Massa edition of the RM 011 might just be the perfect watch for you. With a larger-than-life 50 mm face, a titanium case, and a skeletonized dial that gives the wearer a glimpse of this watch’s impressive inner workings, this piece will surely start conversations as you take in this year’s F1 race in Miami.

British F1 driver Lando Norris is one of the youngest players on the track – he was born in 1999 and has been with the McLaren F1 team since 2019. If you plan to cheer on Norris at the Miami Grand Prix this May, rocking the Richard Mille x McLaren collaboration watch is a stylish way to do so! This gorgeous timepiece is part of a limited edition run of just 500 pieces, making it one of the hottest RM watches on the market today.

Searching for a truly unique and distinctive watch to show off your McLaren team pride at this month’s Miami Grand Prix? Look no further than this unusual Richard Mille RM 40-01, nicknamed the “McLaren Speedtail.” The watch was inspired by McLaren’s innovative Speedtail hypercar, and delivers on precision and performance in a modern and creative package. The titanium case makes this watch durable enough to last a lifetime, and the substantial 48 mm case means it’s perfect for larger wrists or those who prefer the oversize look.

Cheer on Your Team in Style at the Miami Grand Prix

Looking for the perfect watch to wear to the Miami Grand Prix? No matter your style, Avi & Co. is here to help. We’re a trusted seller of globally renowned watch brands like Audemars Piguet, Rolex, Richard Mille, and Patek Philippe. While you’re in town for the race, don’t forget to stop into our Miami boutique – you might just find the perfect accessory for your race day outfit!

Make an appointment today to reserve your personalized shopping experience.