System 1 Miami Grand Prix president Tyler Epp has admitted he was mistaken to query the addition of a dash race to the occasion earlier this yr.
Having hosted its first grand prix in 2022, the Miami Worldwide Autodrome was one in every of six circuits introduced as staging one in every 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 optimistic response of followers.
“I used to be mistaken concerning the dash race, I used to be very involved concerning the worth proposition there, however I couldn’t have been extra mistaken,” he advised Motorsport.com.
“I can be clear in saying I wasn’t within the camp once we first did the deal however the suggestions and the information we bought confirmed that yr over yr our attendance was up on a Saturday, they usually had been there early for a dash race.
Lando Norris, McLaren MCL38
Photograph by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Pictures
“After we have a look at gate scans and we have a look at information, they weren’t coming for qualifying, they had been coming for the dash race.
“I used to be mistaken, it has been a very, actually good factor for us. I perceive it hasn’t been that method 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 assist race schedule to look very comparable subsequent yr.
F1 Academy debuted in Miami in 2024 having been staged in Austin in its inaugural season the earlier yr, whereas the Porsche Deluxe Carrera Cup North America is more likely to return for a 3rd consecutive yr.
For Epp, these occasions aren’t 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 System 1 does. In yr 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 stated.
“In yr three assist races had been profitable for us, placing Porsche on the monitor and F1 Academy on the monitor, was an actual optimistic. Now, the racing strains aren’t all the time precisely the identical however simply laying rubber down did affect what the race groups had been coping with on monitor.
Max Verstappen, Purple Bull Racing RB20
Photograph by: Mark Sutton / Motorsport Pictures
“From our perspective, we’re very dedicated to 2 assist collection in some capability, and we predict to have an analogous line up subsequent yr.
“We discovered rather a lot in years one and two, we tackle challenges and errors and are sincere about it, we attempt to assault them full throttle.
“Yr two to yr three was nearly tweaks and in years 4 and 5 I believe it’s simply as necessary we hearken to our clients – we have now put a giant emphasis on that within the final 12 months.”