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Grand Prix of Miami proud: "The whole city was alive with it"

The inaugural Miami Grand Prix was attended by some 250,000 people over the course of the weekend. In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365.com, Tyler Epp – President of the event – explains how the ambition is to welcome even more F1 fans in 2023.

When it was announced that a Miami Grand Prix would be added to the 2022 F1 calendar, it sparked a lot of discussion. The eyes of Formula 1 fans from all over the world were on the event, so the pressure on organisers was high prior to the race. However, with the weekend proving to be efficiently run, the first race in Miami went down in the books as a great success. In 2023, the organisers hope to build on this further by welcoming more fans and providing the drivers with a more beautiful track. In an exclusive interview with RacingNews365.com , Tyler Epp, President of the Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix, reveals that they are already hard at work again to organise the 2023 GP. "We are very pleased with last year's race, and of course when I say last year I have to correct myself immediately," laughs Epp, who realises that the GP was only held a few months ago and therefore still in 2022. "Time goes so fast and we are already working so hard for the next event, that you sometimes think that the first one is already longer behind us."

First Miami GP celebrated by organisers

Epp was pleased by how the first Miami Grand Prix – which took place in May – managed to bring the community together, as well as welcoming people from all over the world. "We are very satisfied with the result of the first edition," he explained. "Not only in terms of the race weekend and the fans who enjoyed the event, but also because we managed to involve the community around the stadium. That is also something we will do again next year, it is important that our community is involved in the event. "We are an international city where many people live who have roots in other countries. Partly because of that, we attract a lot of people from outside America and so in 2023 we will again see a lot of people from outside America back in the stands. "Additionally, in 2023, we will make sure to add many more grandstand seats and we will make even more use of the Hard Rock Stadium from where people can watch the race."

How Miami circuit will be improved for 2023

The Miami International Autodrome is a temporary circuit housed within the Hard Rock Stadium complex, a venue normally used by NFL's Miami Dolphins. Given the stadium's general use as a sporting venue, the facilities were optimally arranged for the teams, drivers, fans and media. The F1 circus therefore seems to be looking forward to the upcoming editions of the GP, although a number of drivers are hoping for some minor changes to the circuit. "The circuit is the most important part when you organise a Grand Prix," Epp said. "We have got the feedback from F1, the FIA and the drivers and we are using their input to improve the circuit in certain places. Right now, we are working with the different parties to see where and what we can improve on the track. "We do this by listening to the constructive criticism in particular at the moment. In the coming months, we will have clarity on exactly what needs to be done and we can start working on that."

Miami boss compares F1 event to Super Bowl

During the 2022 race, Epp feels that the entire city of Miami came alive, and he hopes that this is something that can be continued into 2023. This atmosphere reminded him of when the metropolis hosted the Super Bowl two years earlier. "Of course, we recently organised the Super Bowl. The same feeling of that Super Bowl in 2020, we got back during this year's Grand Prix," Epp reflected. "Indeed, the whole city was alive with it, wonderful events were organised everywhere and therefore you got the same feeling as when you organise a Super Bowl. "This is something we would like to maintain in the coming years, which is why we are working closely with our community. After all, the race should be an event for everyone." Following the announcement of the 2023 Formula 1 calendar, it has been confirmed that next year's Miami Grand Prix will take place on 5-7 May.

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