By Sophie Collins, Irish Mirror
The inaugural Miami Grand Prix took place on Sunday and saw Max Verstappen take the win after some impressive early moves on the Ferrari men and a great getaway after a late Safety Car.
The Irish haven’t featured prominently on the grid since Eddie Irvine’s career came to a close in 2002, shortly followed by the Jordan team’s exit from the sport in 2005.
Ireland may not be the home of any current stars on the grid, but the inaugural Miami Grand Prix came to fruition thanks to an Irishman who has an incredibly impressive motorsport CV, Richard Cregan.
He was handed the role of Miami Chief Executive as Formula One bosses unveiled a dedicated management team in 2021, that was tasked with bringing the new addition to the calendar to life.
Cregan worked as a technician with Aer Lingus before making the move into the world of racing, and made a name for himself with Toyota Team Europe in Cologne, after being promoted from his role as a mechanic to part of the management team.
He continued in this capacity for the company’s Le Mans 24 Hours and F1 participation.
Cregan used his years of experience working across Formula One, Le Mans and the World Rally Championship to create an epic weekend for fans across the State of Florida and beyond.
In 2008, he was appointed chief executive of the Abu Dhabi Motorsport Management, which saw him create the Yas Marina Circuit and the Formula One Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Then in 2013, he was tasked with delivering the Russian Grand Prix at the Sochi Autodrom, and so Miami marked his third endeavour to deliver epic racing in the sport.
“Miami has been a dream destination for Formula One over many years and it is a privilege to accept the role of chief executive, said Cregan at the time of his appointment.
“Working within the world’s most vibrant market for sports, the USA, and joining a team anchored by the world-class talent at the Miami Dolphins, means that I am understandably thrilled by the potential of what we can achieve together when we welcome F1 to Florida.”
Former F1 Commentator, Peter Collins, told the Irish Mirror: “When Miami got the green light to be included on the world championship calendar, those driving the project knew it was essential to have a man at the helm who knew his stuff.
“Richard Cregan was quickly installed as the person to make a dream become reality.
“By now his CV is as impressive as you’ll find in global Motorsport, having held significant briefs in Toyotas world rally championship, their Formula One project and in more recent years Richard was the man at the helm of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“He obviously loves a challenge and when the opportunity came to steer the Miami GP onto the World championship grid, he stepped up once again to successfully organise a magnificent event.”
