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Hitting their stride – Miami Grand Prix going from strength to strength after hat-trick year

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Hitting their stride – Miami Grand Prix going from strength to strength after hat-trick year


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, FL

Florida fire map shows live updates on wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade

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Florida fire map shows live updates on wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade


Two active wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are reducing air quality and visibility across parts of South Florida Monday as firefighters continue working to contain the flames, according to the Florida Forest Service and other state and local agencies.

The fires are highlighted on Florida’s Active Wildfire Points map, an interactive tool that tracks current wildfires across the state and provides updated information on acreage burned and containment levels. You can check it out here:

Max Road Fire in Broward

The largest blaze, known as the Max Road Fire, was burning west of U.S. 27 and Pines Boulevard in western Broward County. Officials said the fire has scorched at least 5,000 acres as of Monday morning.

Smoke from the Max Road Fire was drifting north and northwest Monday morning due to a light southeast breeze.

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On Sunday night, an eerie orange glow lit up the sky near the fire zone as crews battled the flames.

Andrew Johnston / CBS News Miami


Florida City fire in Miami-Dade

A second wildfire, called the 172nd Avenue Fire, is burning near Florida City in southern Miami-Dade County. Officials said the fire has burned at least 210 acres as of Monday morning.

Smoke from that fire remained relatively stagnant because of calm winds, though conditions later Monday could push smoke northward toward Leisure City and Homestead.

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The 172nd Avenue Fire temporarily forced the closure of Card Sound Road and restricted access to the Florida Keys over the weekend, though the roadway has since reopened.

Authorities are still urging drivers to use caution in the area because heavy smoke could continue reducing visibility. Residents across South Florida are also being advised to monitor local air quality conditions as firefighters work to bring both blazes under control.

Florida dry season fuels wildfire risk

Florida is currently in its dry season, a period that typically runs from October through May and brings an increased risk of wildfires across the state.

According to the Florida Forest Service, peak wildfire season usually occurs during April, May and June, when dry vegetation, low humidity and windy conditions can help fires spread quickly.

The National Weather Service said ongoing drought conditions and low relative humidity have elevated wildfire danger across much of Florida in recent weeks. Officials are urging residents to avoid outdoor burning and remain alert as firefighters continue battling dozens of active wildfires statewide.

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Jarvis Landry Doesn’t Hold Back on Dolphins Offseason

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Jarvis Landry Doesn’t Hold Back on Dolphins Offseason



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(Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM )

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The Miami Dolphins are in the middle of a rebuild under new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. This offseason, Sullivan cut ties with players like Tyreek Hill and Tua Tagovailoa and then traded away Jaylen Waddle.

Moreover, the team brought in former Green Bay Packers QB Malik Willis, drafted Kadyn Proctor in Round 1, and selected several pass catchers to help their new signal-caller. Miami also drafted Jacob Rodriguez to be their leader on that side of the football, potentially.

While there’s still more work to be done, Sullivan has laid the foundation for what he hopes will turn the Dolphins into a contender in the AFC. Nonetheless, one person who is fully on board with what Miami has done this offseason is former Dolphins wideout Jarvis Landry.

I love the [Proctor] pick,Landry said in a May video from4th And South. Miami Dolphins, the GM, hey, he’s doing amazing. He is doing amazing. I’m excited to see how [the Proctor pick] works out. Malik Willis will get some protection up front. I still want to see them add more firepower on the edges, maybe even at tight end, and keep building.

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They added pieces on the defensive side of the ball during the offseason, including a couple of cornerbacks and safeties and things like that. But I would love to see them get Malik Willis a couple more weapons on the outside to do his thing [as] Jaylen Waddle left [and] Tyreek left.


Jarvis Landry Excited About Miami’s Future

Moreover, Landry provided an exciting outlook for Miami under Sullivan as the general manager is only getting started in molding the Dolphins in his vision, especially with the draft capital that the team had in this past draft.

I think the city of Miami is excited,Landry added.With all of these draft picks and the draft capital Miami acquired, and don’t forget, they traded back and got more value and more picks [in this past draft]. I think they’re the only team to have this many picks in this year’s draft, which is probably a record.


Dolphins Were Reportedly Looking at a Veteran Wideout

While Landry would like for the Dolphins to add another receiver, they were reportedly trying to do that. On May 8, ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter shared that Miami was one of the teams interested in signing Jauan Jennings before he made his decision to sign with the Minnesota Vikings.

The interesting thing is I was told that there were a few other teams,” Schefter said during a May 8 appearance on thePat McAfee Show. “I can go back and get the exact list. I think it was the Dolphins, the Commanders. There was somebody else that was interested.

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The Vikings were the only team, I believe he wound up visiting at all. That was the only one. The other teams, the Chiefs and Commanders also were interested in Jauan Jennings. New Orleans also expressed a little interest.

Now, for the Dolphins, it will be interesting to see whether they look at other veteran wideouts who might be a good fit, especially as a mentor for the group.

Eduardo Razo Eduardo Razo is a sports writer for Heavy.com, covering the NFL, MLB, and college football. He has previously covered the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB for NBC Sports Washington and NBC Sports Bay Area & California, and has freelanced for PSG Talk, covering Paris Saint-Germain. He also worked as an editor at Athlon Sports, focusing on MLB and the NFL. More about Eduardo Razo





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Miami, FL

Your 2026 Miami Dolphins Draft Picks Expectations

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Your 2026 Miami Dolphins Draft Picks Expectations


Highest ceiling: Proctor. There’s a reason they drafted him in the first round. If he loses 25 pounds, he can be a multi-time first team All Pro. But he has to put the work in and not be lazy.

Lowest ceiling: Caleb Douglas. Don’t see him fixing his drops. But I hope he proves me wrong.

Best overall pick: Jacob Rodriguez. Guy will be a sideline to sideline tackling machine.

Best value pick: Kyle Louis. He should have went in the 3rd round and will be a major contributor.

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Best pick no one else sees as great…yet: Seydou Traore. The more tape I watch on this guy at Mississippi State, the more I like. If he refines his route running and hands, he could be our starting TE in 2 or 3 years.

Biggest reach pick: Caleb Douglas. See above. He should have went in the 5th, maybe 6th.

Biggest missed opportunity: Not drafting Bain. I sure hope those short arms limit him in the NFL. Now the guy has a huge chip on his shoulder and is pissed at the 14 teams that passed on him, including Miami. The guy was a menace in college. I’m not looking forward to facing the Bucs in the future.



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