Miami GP chief responds to Sergio Perez and George Russell criticism

Miami GP President, Tyler Epp, has responded to criticism from George Russell and Sergio Perez.

Tyler Epp, the Miami GP President, has highlighted a number of changes to be made for next season’s race following driver criticism earlier this year.

The Miami Grand Prix debuted in 2022 at the Miami International Autodrome.

Both races held there have sparked criticisms from F1 drivers, who have blasted the quality of the track surface.

There was also criticism in 2022 from drivers saying that portions of the track had “broken up.”

Want to work in Formula 1? Browse the latest F1 job vacancies

George Russell of Mercedes and Red Bull’s Sergio Perez were most vocal in their complaints about the track.

Perez described the surface as being “like inter conditions” that gave a “very low grip.”

Russell, meanwhile, noted the off-line risks at the Miami Autodrome.

Miami GP organisers attempted to address these concerns in time for the 2023 Miami GP, relaying the circuit’s surface.

Article continues below

However, after this year’s qualifiers, Russell aired his continued annoyance to Autosport.

The British driver said: “It’s been no improvement on last year.

“On-line, it’s good grip. But as soon as you put one wheel wide, there’s no grip.

“So, overtaking is going to be really challenging.”

Amidst ongoing complaints, Epp has shared “very viable” plans that Miami GP organisers have in stall for 2024.

These ideas include bringing in a more “weathered surface.”

He also argued that 2023 had seen improvements made upon the GP’s inaugural year, which was evidenced in last May’s race.

Epp said: “We have had conversations with the FIA and F1 about trying to get a little more rubber laid onto the race track prior to the F1 cars going out.

“That’s something we’re looking into for next year.

“We’ll try to make it the very best environment possible.

“But it was almost two seconds [a lap] better and we saw an increased number of passes, including a pass for the lead.

READ: Ex-F1 driver claims almost half the grid could match Max Verstappen

“I think it’s very, very viable that we would go back to two support races supporting F1 next year.”

The 2022 Miami Grand Prix’s support races included the W Series and the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America.

Epp commented: “I will tell you (the support races) are being driven by trying to make sure the F1 races and practice sessions are performing in the best possible way that they can.”