What a transformation Formula 1 has enjoyed in the United States over recent years. Not so long ago, the idea of Grands Prix in Miami and Vegas would have sounded fanciful, yet here we are in 2026 with three F1 races in the USA. Plus Mexico and Canada. Drive to Survive surely has a part to play in that popularity, as will the return of Ford as a powertrain partner and Cadillac’s place on the grid.
The increased visibility of the sport in such a huge car market clearly makes F1 even more attractive to the OEMs also. Certainly it’s something that Caterham is keen to take advantage of, with the reveal of this new Seven Miami Special Edition coming at this weekend’s Grand Prix in Florida. Maybe not the first sports car you’d think of debuting at a Formula 1 weekend across the Atlantic, but more Sevens in the world sounds like very good news to us.
Especially when they look as good as this. Course you’d be doing well to make a Caterham Seven that doesn’t look brilliant, such is its timeless style, but this Miami really is excellent. The Aqua paint is unique, as is the pink and white decal set. A Miami script and circuit outline on the rump had the potential to look a bit naff, but it works here. Once a Donington Edition Caterham has made it into the world, each one named after a corner on that track, the path is clear for pretty much everything else. Like that car, this Caterham gets a numbered plaque inside (there were 10 Doningtons; there’ll be 12 of these) and more Miami font.
Unlike the Donington however, the Miami Special Edition will be a circuit only Seven. It isn’t entirely clear why, given it sounds like 420R spec - 210hp Duratec, five-speed manual - but that’s the decision that’s been made. Perfect thing for annoying Corvettes and Camaros at Willow Springs, perhaps. Or, indeed, at Miami - Caterham has recently confirmed a partnership with the Precision Drive Club, which offers up driving and hospitality at the Miami International Autodrome.
Wherever these Sevens end up, there’ll be little chance of ever seeing one Stateside, as only 10 of the 12 will ever be sold there. Where the other two will reside hasn’t been announced. Neither has a price for the Miami SE, so probably good to assume a lot. Caterham’s Senior VP of Ops, Trevor Steel, said: “Miami has become a global hub for elite motorsport and luxury automotive culture, so to have this moment to unveil the Miami Special Edition is truly unique. This car represents the very best of lightweight British engineering, and seeing the car launched and on display at the race weekend will be a significant moment for our brand.” And while the Miami spec can’t be repeated (yet) for UK cars, we can get jolly close in the classifieds: a 420 Cup offers epic naturally aspirated track thrills, or Peppermint Green isn’t far from Aqua. Get Will Smith playing in the headphones when it’s sunny and it’ll feel just the same…
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