Miami was initially reluctant to host a sprint race, but after the first edition in 2024, track director Tyler Epp had to change his mind
Miami was not a fan of hosting a Formula 1 sprint race, but after the first edition in 2024, Grand Prix promoter Tyler Epp has to admit that he was wrong. The sprint event was a complete success from the promoter’s point of view, so Miami will once again be one of the six tracks to host a sprint next year.
“I was wrong about the sprint race, I was very concerned about the value proposition, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.”
“I want to be very clear that I wasn’t convinced when we did the deal,” he says, ”but the feedback and data we’ve received has shown that attendance on Saturdays is up on the previous year.”
What’s more, visitors also came to the track earlier to watch the sprint race on Saturday mornings instead of another free practice session. “When we look at the gatescans and data, they don’t come for qualifying, but for the sprint race,” emphasizes Epp.
“I was wrong, it was a very, very good thing for us. I understand that it wasn’t like that for every organizer, but we really enjoyed it and see real commercial value in hosting a sprint race,” he says. Conclusion: “It was fantastic for us. ”
Sprint races are controversial in Formula 1. Not everyone is a fan of this format, but statements like Epp’s should show those responsible that sprints can still be part of the premier class in the future. Formula 1 boss Stefano Domenicali recently held out the prospect of an expansion, albeit not to all races, as is the case in MotoGP.
Six sprint races will be held again in 2025: in China, Miami, Belgium, Austin, Brazil and Qatar.
Framework program important
What should also remain in Miami are the support races. In 2024, the F1 Academy Series was held at the circuit, as was the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America, which is expected to return next year
For Epp, these events are not only important to offer spectators something to watch at the track, but also to provide Formula 1 with better conditions on the track. This was not yet the case in the first year 2022.
“It’s important what comes before Formula 1 on the track,” he says. “In the first year, it was made very clear that nobody was going on the track before them because they wanted to be the first on the new track.” Now, of course, things are different
Miami wants to stick with two support races
“In the third year, the support races have been successful for us, having Porsche on the track and the F1 Academy on the track has been a real benefit,” he emphasizes. “The racing lines are not always exactly the same, but the rubber has had an impact on what the race teams have had to deal with on the track.”
The Grand Prix boss is in favor of two support races, “and we assume that we will have a similar line-up next year.”
Epp: “We learned a lot in years one and two, we accept challenges and mistakes and are honest about it, we try to tackle them at full throttle.”
“Years two and three were all about optimization, and in years four and five I think it’s just as important that we listen to our customers – we’ve put a lot of emphasis on that over the last twelve months. “
