For Miami Grand Prix president Tyler Epp, 2024 was the year which saw the event blossom into what race organisers had always hoped it would be.
A harsh spotlight had shone on the previous races at the Miami International Autodrome following its high-profile inclusion on the 2022 Formula 1 calendar but, as Lando Norris claimed his maiden victory in the sport, Epp could also afford to celebrate.
The first of three races staged across the United States in the modern era of truly global F1 coverage, Epp felt Miami truly arrived the third time around.
“We talked about how the first year was simply an exercise in trying to get it done and actually pulling it off, and getting the doors open, and getting people here and the teams here,” he explains to Autosport.
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“Year two, you fix a lot of problems and you’re very focused on those things that did not go like you wanted. Then year three would be the year where you actually hit a bit of stride and you settle into some things that you’ve built, that work well, and things that maybe work a little better than you thought.
“It’s far from saying that everything is perfect, and we figured it all out. It’s not saying that in the least but it did feel a bit like year three was a time for us to stabilise a little bit and some of the creative concepts that Tom Garfinkel really came up with to launch this race started to come to life a little bit for the fanbase, I think the racetrack came to life a bit for the competitors.”
It is hard to establish an F1 legacy with a race still very much in its infancy, but Miami does have unique selling points to fans – from its high-end hospitality offerings to integrating the Hard Rock Beach Club and the buzz around the fake marina – so could these become staples of the calendar?
Champagne celebration, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing,Lando Norris, McLaren,Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo by: Erik Junius
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“We’ve got to earn that, and we know that – we’re not exactly Eau Rouge! But it gives us hope that someday some of our funky corners and parts of the racetrack will take shape from a racing perspective,” added Epp.
“Then we think there are a bit of, hopefully, iconic areas of our racetrack that we can continue to build, develop and evolve throughout the years for the fanbase, with the things that we do in the marina for example.”
While attracting a global audience remains crucial to the business of hosting a Formula 1 grand prix, Epp has also made sure the local community has not been lost within the glamour of the Miami Grand Prix, with a sprint race and F1 Academy also on the weekend schedule.
“We talk about it a lot more than people think – we’re really proud to race in Miami Gardens,” he said.
“We’re proud to put on these mega events in Miami Gardens. It has transformed the industry. It’s transformed this community and to put a billion dollars back into this greater Miami and Fort Lauderdale community over the first three years of this event is something we’re really proud of.
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“But the things that we really see is the impact on young people and we were turning people from this community into race fans but even more so than that is our MIA Academy program, which identifies college-age people who have an interest in the motorsports space.
“We bring them in, and they become a part of our team. We’re now on our fourth year of it, and we’ve now sent almost 100 young people into the marketplace, and every year we’ve hired a group of those kids to come and work with us on a full-time basis. We are identifying talent in our actual community and bringing it to life, I think that is unique to us.”
In this article
Mark Mann-Bryans
Formula 1
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MIAMI (WSVN) – A 21-year-old man was arrested on a charge of sexual battery on a minor by an adult and lewd or lascivious molestation stemming from an alleged incident involving a 10-year-old girl, according to an arrest report.
According to the report, Alvin Davis was arrested due in connection from an alleged incident that occurred Oct. 16, 2025, in Miami. The child’s mother, who became suspicious and placed a recording device in the child’s bedroom.
The report states the girl told investigators that Davis touched her inappropriately on multiple occasions.
Authorities said Davis was transported to the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center and is being held without bond.
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Former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson is expected to be a late first-round draft pick on Thursday night, which will bring him a guaranteed four-year contract worth around $20 million. But he considered turning that down for a big-money offer to stay in college.
Simpson, who has previously said that Miami offered him $6.5 million to transfer and play for the Hurricanes in 2026, said on David Pollack’s podcast that the money was too good not to at least think about.
“I think the last offer was definitely one that I just had to sit down and consider, because it would have been life-changing money,” Simpson said. “It would have made me the highest-paid player in college, and it was something to where I was like, I can’t just ignore this. I have to sit down and think about it. That’s how I am, I don’t want to do anything sporadic. I want to sit down and think it all out, and it really just came down to how I wanted to be remembered and what do I want to do.”
Simpson, who spent three years as a backup at Alabama before becoming the starter last year, went to his former coach, Nick Saban, for advice.
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“I actually talked to Coach Saban about this,” Simpson said. “The things he was talking about were, do you want to play football in college, or do you want to play football professionally? And he was like, ‘Take the money out of it, take the rounds out of it, what do you want to do next year?’ And without a doubt, without hesitation, I said, ‘I want to play professional football.’ And he was like, ‘Well, there’s your answer.’ It was something that I’ve always dreamed of, and I felt that I was ready to take that next step and be the face of a franchise and lead a locker room.”
It’s a different world in football now that players might make more money with another year in college than their annual average salary will be in the NFL. Now, players have to think about whether the NCAA or the NFL will be more lucrative. NIL deals have changed both college football and pro football.
Photo Credit: @CanesFootball via X // redshirt senior wideout Cooper Barkate catches a 29-yard touchdown from Darian Mensah during Miami’s Spring Game on Saturday, April 18, 2026 at Cobb Stadium.
After more than three months removed from a devastating national championship loss, over 5,000 fans gathered at Cobb Stadium on Saturday morning for a first look at Miami football’s 2026 squad.
The annual spring game offered exactly that: a mix of evaluation and entertainment. Miami structured the day differently this year, using the first half for position drills, including passing, red zone and agility work, before transitioning into a live scrimmage in the second half.
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Much of the attention centered on new quarterback Darian Mensah, a transfer from Duke. While he started slow, Mensah quickly settled in and showed why he’s expected to lead the Hurricanes this fall.
Mensah connected multiple times with familiar target Cooper Barkate, his former teammate at Duke. The duo picked up right where they left off, highlighted by a 29-yard touchdown to the back corner of the end zone. Mensah added a 33-yard touchdown pass to Daylyn Upshaw and a five-yard score to Cam Vaughn, another transfer addition.
Calm in the pocket and effective under pressure, Mensah extended plays and delivered accurate throws, flashing the kind of playmaking ability Miami fans have been eager to see.
With several returning starters such as wide receiver Malachi Toney and running back Mark Fletcher seeing limited action, opportunities opened for younger players to contribute. RB Jordan Lyle capitalized, breaking off multiple strong runs and showing quick footwork in the open field.
Behind Mensah, Miami showcased its quarterback depth. Judd Anderson, Luke Nickel and early enrollee Dereon Coleman all saw snaps, with Nickel making a strong case for the backup role. Coleman flashed potential but remains a longer-term development piece.
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Photo Credit: @CanesFootball via IG // Miami quarterback Darian Mensah performs handshake with redshirt senior wideout Cooper Barkate during Miami’s Spring Game on April 18, 2026, at Cobb Stadium.
Defensively, Miami may have delivered the most impressive performance of the day.
Despite losing key contributors such as Ruben Bain and Akheem Mesidor to the NFL, the Hurricanes controlled the line of scrimmage and limited offensive production. Defensive lineman Damon Wilson, a transfer from Missouri, along with tackles Justin Scott and Jarquez Carter, consistently disrupted plays. Scott’s quickness stood out against the run, while Wilson applied steady pressure off the edge.
In the secondary, Boston College transfer Omar Thornton, along with JJ Dunnigan and Xavier Lucas, contributed to multiple stops with tight coverage and physical tackling.
The offensive line, featuring several new faces and only one returning starter, showed flashes but remains a work in progress. Freshman Jackson Cantwell has big shoes to fill with Sisi Mauigoa declaring for the NFL draft. At 6-foot-8, 330 pounds, Cantwell acted as a brick wall protecting his QB and winning the battle at the line. However, the second team offensive line had some struggles, with two bad snaps in a row.
For many in attendance, however, the spring game was about more than just performance. It served as a rare opportunity for families and fans to connect with the program in a more personal setting, celebrating players beyond what they show on the field.
“It’s him fulfilling his dream and doing what he wants to do,” said the grandmother of wide receiver Milan Parris. “He’s my oldest grandson, and I’m just over the moon. I’m extremely proud of him.”
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While the defense may have controlled much of the action, the day ultimately served as an early glimpse into a team balancing new talent, developing depth and high expectations.
With nearly five months until the season opener against Stanford on Sept. 4, Miami leaves the spring with promise and plenty to still refine.