April 2025

8 BEHIND THE SCENES: WHAT IT TAKES TO BUILD A STREET CIRCUIT When you watch the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, it’s easy to get caught up in the roar of engines, the blur of colors, and the adrenaline rush of high-speed passes. But before the first car even hits the track, an in- credible transformation takes place — one that turns St. Petersburg’s bustling streets into a world-class race circuit. This is a feat of engi- neering, logistics, and sheer determi- nation that often goes unnoticed. The process begins months in ad- vance. Long before the first tire touches the pavement, city planners, race officials, and construction crews collaborate to map out the course. The 1.8-mile, 14-turn circuit winds through downtown streets, along the waterfront, and even down an airport runway — a layout that’s as scenic as Photo by | | Jake Coughlin