F1 drivers hit out at “distracting” pre-race ceremony in Miami

A temporary gantry that faced away from the grid was erected on the main straight where American rapper LL Cool J presented each driver to the fans ahead of the US national anthem.

Meanwhile, Will.i.am led an orchestra that performed his and Lil Wayne’s new F1-inspired song ‘The Formula’, which was released on the Saturday of the Miami GP weekend.

Owing to the revised format, drivers were summoned 23 minutes prior to the planned race start compared to the 16…