Track Side: Explore the F1 Miami Grand Prix in 3D With Apple Maps
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One of the great things about the Apple ecosystem is how well the company can tie everything together when it comes to content. It’s not uncommon for Apple to pull out all the stops to mark significant cultural events, such as February 2021’s Black History Month, where it did everything from releasing a special edition Apple Watch to highlighting content on Apple Books, Apple Podcasts, and Apple TV.
Apple has also brought Apple Maps into the mix, turning TV shows into real-world adventures, showing off the favorite vineyards from Drops of God actor Tomohisa Yamashita or letting Slow Horses fans experience the show’s London landmarks.
Last year, Apple even created an Apple Maps Guide to highlight the iconic tracks from F1: The Movie. It’s no surprise that it’s now enhancing Apple Maps for the real world of Formula 1 racing now that it’s become the home for all things F1 in the United States.
The first F1 races arrived on Apple TV early last month — and they’ve turned out to be a massive hit. The opener was the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix, but now the race is coming to Apple’s home turf with the Miami Grand Prix on May 3, and Apple is dressing up the track in Apple Maps to give fans an immersive way to explore the circuit in preparation for the big day.
As with the other 3D landmarks in Apple Maps, the entire Miami International Autodrome has been rendered in excruciating detail, from Hard Rock Stadium at the center to the Formula 1 Pit building and the track itself — complete with overhead banners advertising Apple TV as “The new U.S. Home of F1.”
There are even waypoints for all the turns on the track itself with technical information about the circuit, plus markers for key places in the venue, from the F1 Fan Zone and Audi R26 Replica display to nursing rooms and first aid stations.
There are also some special Apple Maps Guides for the event as part of Apple’s new “Hyperlocal” guide series. ”A Local’s Guide to Miami F1 Race Week” aims to help visitors find great places to dine and shop in the area, while “F1 Crypto.com Miami Race Week Spots” offers tips on getting around the Autodrome and finding the best viewing locations around the track.
The F1 Miami Apple Maps crossover isn’t the first — and it probably won’t be the last. Apple did something similar for the opening race in Australia last month, and teased at the time that this wasn’t going to be a one-off. It was pretty much a given that it would bring this to Miami as the season’s first F1 Grand Prix in the US, where Apple TV is now only place where home fans will be able stream the race.
The Miami Grand Prix is also widely considered to be one of the key events, having risen in profile since joining the calendar in 2022. Part of that is for its “North American energy” but it’s also one of the most accessible locations for US fans to visit, and offers a challenging 5.41-kilometer street-style circuit that stands out against the Miami scenery as F1 cars hit top speeds of 350 km/h on the straights.
While the final race is being held at 4 p.m. local time on Sunday, May 3, Apple will also be streaming the practice sessions, Sprint Qualifying, the Sprint, and the final Qualifying races on Friday and Saturday. Apple TV subscribers in the US can tune in to it all at no extra charge, although sadly those in other countries will still have to find other ways to watch.
