Components 1 Miami Grand Prix president Tyler Epp has admitted he was fallacious to query the addition of a dash race to the occasion earlier this 12 months.
Having hosted its first grand prix in 2022, the Miami Worldwide Autodrome was considered one of six circuits introduced as staging considered one of F1’s dash races this season.
Max Verstappen took victory within the 19-lap race on the Saturday earlier than title rival Lando Norris secured his maiden F1 win within the grand prix a day later.
Miami has since been confirmed as retaining a dash race for 2025. The one deliberate change to the roster sees Belgium changing Austria among the many six tracks allotted the shorter race format.
Epp concedes he was incorrect to have initially been cautious of introducing a dash race in Miami – having since seen the business profit and the constructive response of followers.
“I used to be fallacious in regards to the dash race, I used to be very involved in regards to the worth proposition there, however I couldn’t have been extra fallacious,” he informed Autosport.
“I might be clear in saying I wasn’t within the camp once we first did the deal however the suggestions and the info we acquired confirmed that 12 months over 12 months our attendance was up on a Saturday, and so they had been there early for a dash race.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Picture by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Pictures
“Once we have a look at gate scans and we have a look at knowledge, they weren’t coming for qualifying, they had been coming for the dash race.
“I used to be fallacious, it has been a very, actually good factor for us. I perceive it hasn’t been that approach for each promoter, however we actually have loved and see actual business worth in internet hosting a dash race, it has been improbable for us.”
In addition to the dash race staying in place, Epp revealed he additionally expects the help race schedule to look very related subsequent 12 months, too.
F1 Academy debuted in Miami in 2024 having been staged in Austin in its inaugural season the earlier 12 months, whereas the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America is more likely to return for a 3rd consecutive 12 months.
For Epp, these occasions are usually not simply so as to add to the spectacle for the spectators however are additionally key to making ready for higher circumstances for the F1 races.
“It does matter what goes on the monitor earlier than Components 1 does. In 12 months one it was made very clear that no person will get on the monitor earlier than they did as a result of they wished to be the primary on the brand new monitor,” he mentioned.
“In 12 months three help races had been profitable for us, placing Porsche on the race monitor and F1 Academy on the race monitor, was an actual constructive. Now, the racing strains aren’t at all times precisely the identical however simply laying rubber down did influence what the race groups had been coping with on monitor.
“From our perspective, we’re very dedicated to 2 help collection in some capability, and we predict to have an analogous line up subsequent 12 months.
“We realized rather a lot in years one and two, we tackle challenges and errors and are trustworthy about it, we attempt to assault them full throttle.
“Yr two to 12 months three was nearly tweaks and in years 4 and 5 I believe it’s simply as vital we take heed to our clients – we now have put a giant emphasis on that within the final 12 months.”