The data from the Miami Sprint Race deepens the mystery: do fans really like Saturday races? Widely criticized at the time of their introduction, they continue to receive mixed feedback. Some consider them completely unnecessary, while others even claim they ruin the spirit of a Formula 1 weekend. Yet, according to Tyler Epp, the audience enjoys watching them.
Concerns about the introduction of Sprint Weekends weren’t limited to Circus purists. The reaction of fans worried some organizers, including the president of the Miami Grand Prix. In an environment dominated by money, where sponsors hold sway, there’s nothing worse than coming under fire for a particularly boring Sprint Race.
However, the Miami data turns this narrative around: attendance at the circuit on Saturday increased compared to the 2022 edition (which followed the traditional format). Not only that, but gate arrivals were concentrated in the early morning, a clear indication that ticket holders were highly interested in the Sprint Race, as well as the subsequent qualifying.
“I was wrong about the Sprint Race,” said Tyler Epp in a recent interview for Autosport. “I was very concerned, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The feedback and data we obtained showed that, compared to the previous year, attendance increased on Saturday, and the audience came to the circuit early for the Sprint Race. I was wrong, it was a very, very positive thing for us.” – he pointed out.
“I understand that it hasn’t been the same for all organizers,” added the president of the Miami Grand Prix. “But we had a lot of fun, and we see real commercial value in hosting a Sprint Race. It was fantastic for us.”
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