Triathlons, barbeques, and the Miami Heat: Sebastián Montoya’s Hometown Tour

Sebastián Montoya takes us to Miami, Florida, as the PREMA Racing driver becomes the latest member of the grid to give us a tour of their hometown.

From good weather to competing in triathlons and karting competitions, nothing quite makes Montoya happier than talking about where he grew up.

“Right now, currently I live in Monaco, although I don't really spend much time there, but I grew up in Miami. I love Miami. Miami is awesome. Everything from the weather to the ocean, to the beach, to cycling, to running, to my friends I have known my whole life, I enjoy it so much.

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“Obviously, a lot of memories there, especially with the people that I grew up with from school, being able to see them again and do the things we used to do as kids, but now at a different stage of life I really enjoy that.

“Another one of the best things about Miami as well is the training side of things. I love running, I love swimming, I love cycling, those are three sports I grew up doing, and I am quite good at.

“I ended up doing a Triathlon because of that and there was actually once I did a triathlon in the morning and then went to the go kart track for a race in the afternoon.

“I missed practice, and I went straight in qualifying. I qualified pole, won the pre-final, won the final with the fastest lap. Fun times.

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“The biggest thing I used to do as a kid was obviously karting. I used to do karting at Homestead, and basically what we would end up doing is with my family, we would go karting when I was younger with my sisters and my mum as well. She would drive, my dad would drive, we all had our own go karts and that's when I started driving.

“Over time, it got to a point when we were all doing it together, but then my sisters stopped but I kept going and I really enjoyed it.

“I'd say Miami is one of a kind. Just everything about it, just the culture, also because being Latino, growing up in Miami, it's not really American, I'd say it's a lot more Latin than people would know.

“There is a mix of everything, there is Argentinians, Colombians, Venezuelans, Mexicans, people from the Caribbean, it's very mixed cultures. It's cool growing up with people that are similar to you, but also different to you.

“I also went to a couple of Miami Heat games when it was the big three with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, and Lebron James. I remember I walked into the stadium with my mum and dad and Chris Bosh walked by me, and I kid you not I was around his hip, and I just looked in awe. I thought it was so impressive and thought it was so cool.

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“In terms of food in Miami, there is a bit of everything, a lot of Mexican food, a lot of American for sure, but a lot of Argentinian food. I grew up eating a lot of Argentinian food, a lot of steak and meat. I can tell you they know how to do a good barbeque.

“That and Mexican food are probably the two biggest things, but it is also quite international, so you have a bit of everything, there are a lot of nice restaurants, so you can pick and choose.

“The biggest thing you should try when you to go to Miami is wakeboarding and wake surfing. I'd say those are the most traditional things to do in Miami, especially with the weather, throughout the whole year, it doesn't matter when it is you can always do it. It's quite enjoyable.”