F1 Fans Stranded After Cars Towed at Miami Gardens Parking Lot

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Several Formula 1 fans found themselves stranded outside Hard Rock Stadium on Friday evening after their vehicles were towed from a nearby parking lot. Fans had paid for parking, but upon returning from the race, discovered their cars were missing.

Johnathan Martinez of Hialeah expressed confusion, saying, “We’re all like, ‘How did our cars get towed?’ Did we just get scammed?” Many had parked across the street from the stadium after being approached by a woman wearing a parking company logo who charged them $60.

One fan, Ecuadorian visitor Andres Escobar, recounted his experience, stating, “It seemed legitimate, so we paid via Zelle.” Escobar and his friends were among several who felt deceived when they returned to find empty parking spots.

Mauro Calzadilla, who carpooled with Martinez, noted that he had seen the lot used before for events without issues. He initially planned to park closer but changed his mind when another lot charged $100.

After finding their vehicles gone, Martinez and Calzadilla called the number linked to the Zelle account for clarification. However, they were told it was due to a money dispute with the property’s landlord. Efforts to contact the landlord were unsuccessful.

Martinez highlighted the plight of fans stranded without their cars, stating, “We have like 18 people here who are all stranded because we have no cars.” Miami-Dade County Sheriff’s deputies advised them to report the issue to Miami Gardens Police.

Despite their frustrations, individuals eventually had to find their way to the towing company to reclaim their vehicles. As the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix weekend continues, the excitement among attendees remains palpable, albeit mixed with challenges like these incidents.