At the F1 Miami Grand Prix, women take lead in the jobs that make the race happen
In a male-dominated sport, it will be difficult this weekend to find any part of the event that is not being overseen by a woman

For the Miami Grand Prix, someone is in charge of all the strategic planning and the budget. Someone else oversees the construction of 163 temporary buildings needed for a Formula One race weekend. Someone else designs the seating areas and keeps track of food and drink needs. Someone else makes sure that the rich and famous have everything they need and want, from the right drink to the right kind of throw pillow.
These jobs make the race happen. And in Miami, they are all being done by women.
It is something that the Miami Grand Prix believes sets its race apart. In a sport and a circuit still dominated by males it will be difficult this weekend to find an element of the event that is not overseen by a woman.
There are men on the masthead for the race’s local overseers: Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross owns the race, Tom Garfinkel is the managing partner and Tyler Epp is president of the race, which takes place at the Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium campus. From there, many other top Miami roles are held by women, including:
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Katharina Nowak, only 28, reports to Epp as the race’s second-in-command and oversees all strategic plans, the budget and 17 internal departments.
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Natalie Clark is the senior director of event operations, overseeing the process of building, loading in and loading out.
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Sydney McClain is the senior director of events and food and drink, meaning she creates virtually the entire fan experience on the 250-acre campus.
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Melanie Cabassol is vice-president of hospitality and curated experiences, meaning she creates the atmosphere for premium clients – a list that in past years has included the likes of LeBron James, Patrick Mahomes, Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos.

The women leading the Miami race are not alone in their fields. At F1, the chief commercial officer is Emily Prazer and, until late last year, Sacha Woodward Hill had been there for almost 30 years as the chief legal officer.