MIAMI GARDENS.- Formula 1 returns to the United States for the first time in six months and the initial stop is the Miami Grand Prix, the race that was supposed to be the most attractive piece of competition in this country.
But Las Vegas’ sparkling debut in November was rated as one of the best races of the 2023 season, and the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, is a loyal event that attracts the most passionate Formula 1 fans.
Miami was the big party in 2022, when it debuted its Grand Prix, but has its profile fallen so low that Sunday’s race is simply the first of three events in what has traditionally been NASCAR country?
Tyler Epp, president of the Miami Grand Prix, acknowledged that ticket sales for the third edition of the event have been “soft,” but he considered that there will be a rebound ahead of Sunday’s race. Epp believes the United States can handle three events because they are so different.
“It feels like the decision to do this race, related to Miami and everything that Miami has to offer, was the right decision because it separates us from Las Vegas and Austin, and frankly Montreal, also Mexico and all of North America,” he said Epp. “I still think we are a unique property. We are the first of the three and we like our position here.
“Communication between the three races in the United States is good. “We have not seen the market slow down because of Las Vegas, at least we do not believe that is the case, and we support the other races in the country to ensure that the power of Formula 1 continues to spread to the fans.”
Teams have praised the improvements Miami has made since the 19-turn, 3.36-mile circuit debuted in the parking lots of Hard Rock Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dolphins. The teams’ hospitality facilities were moved to the field last year after the stadium was not used in 2022 and the track was completely resurfaced ahead of the 2023 race.
“If you compare where we are now, three years from where we started, it’s a huge change,” said Williams team principal James Vowles. “Basically, it was a parking lot that they turned into a top-level track for Formula 1.”
Hamilton defends Miami:
Seven-time Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton was surprised by the question of whether the addition of Las Vegas to the Formula 1 calendar has diminished Miami’s status as a must-see event.
“Depleted? No, I think the sport has grown here. He’s more present,” Hamilton said. “In every city I go to, people are excited. It’s now a sport here in the United States. Before, it was only seen as an event that came once a year. Now you can say we are part of the culture here, which is really cool.”
Max Verstappen won the first two races in Miami, and after opening the season with four wins in five races, he is expected to triumph again on Sunday. His dominance has led to complaints about the competitiveness of racing, especially in Miami.
Source: AP
