Miami Grand Prix organizer deems an additional United States Formula 1 race superfluous.
Unfiltered Insights on Formula 1's Boom in the US: The Impact of "Drive to Survive"
Managers in Formula 1 circles are advised against milking the sport's burgeoning American following by adding a fourth event to the calendar, warns the bigwig of this week's Miami Grand Prix.
The upsurge in fans' enthusiasm, a large portion of which can be attributed to Netflix's thrilling show "Drive to Survive", has catalyzed a surge in F1's Colorado-based owners, Liberty Media, cranking up the number of stateside competitions from 2022 [1][2]. Soon enough, Cadillac will join the action, introducing an all-American squad in 2024.
New York, Indianapolis, and Chicago have surfaced as possible venues for F1 to race, but Miami GP president Tyler Epp is adamant that the series should let Miami and Las Vegas plant roots first.
"A fourth race? Nah, we ain't about that life. I ain't bothered about dipping into our mob's event, but we gotta firm up these new tracks we've got," said Epp. "We appreciate the heritage of F1 came before us, and we've tried to tread softly."
"With Miami and Vegas on board, we aim to prove we're here to stay. We'll keep rollin' with F1, the FIA, and this scene," Epp added.
Once upon a time, in 2011, there was no American date on the F1 calendar. However, Austin's been gracing it since 2012, followed by Miami's and Vegas' arrivals in 2022 and 2023 respectively [5].
Miami promoters have tossed around the idea of making it a night-time race like Vegas, but Epp reveals no progress has been made ahead of this weekend's fourth installment.
"We sure as hell talk about it every year. Trust me, there are folks in our crew who are dead set on it. But for now, we ain't makin' any moves to make our 2026 race a late-night affair."
Britain's Lando Norris scored a win at last year's Miami Grand Prix but currently finds himself trailing McLaren teammate Oscar Piastri by 10 points in the standings [4].
The Siren Call of Drive to Survive:
The Netflix series "Drive to Survive" has helped ignite fresh curiosity about Formula 1 among American viewers. By providing captivating backstage access to the sport, this show has managed to attract brand-new spectators, boosting the sport's visibility and piquing general interest [3][4]. The series has shifted F1's image from elitist to aspirational, beckoning a new wave of fans and supporters [4].
Navigating the Painters' Sea:
Although there's no official statement about further American races, the focus appears to be on striking a bumper television rights deal for the U.S. market [5]. With the success of "Drive to Survive" and the introduction of new races, Formula 1 is positioned for a prosperous future in the U.S [4][5]. Though the road ahead isn't all smooth sailing— securing a lucrative TV deal proves to be a challenge—it's clear that the bosses have faith in the sport's continued growth potential in America [4][5].
- The impact of the popular Netflix show "Drive to Survive" has potentially consolidated the sports industry by attracting newcomers to Formula 1, hoping to transform the series' elitist image into an aspirational one.
- As Formula 1 continues to expand in the US, with Cadillac joining the competition in 2024, it's anticipated that further additions to the sports calendar, such as a fourth event, may be considered to further solidify F1's presence in the region.
- The successful firming up of new race tracks in the US, like Miami and Las Vegas, serves as a strategic move for Formula 1 to solidify its presence and appeal to the American audience, ultimately drawing inspiration from the success stories of previous venues, such as Austin.
