New venue and revised plan for Miami Grand Prix underway

The prospect of a second US Grand Prix to be held in Miami is a step closer to becoming reality, it has been revealed.

An agreement between Formula One and the city of Miami to host a grand prix was previously agreed for 2019, with the circuit running around the Bayfront Park area, before the 10-year agreement was abandoned after opposition from residents and local businesses.

But it has now emerged that a deal has been struck, in principle, between Liberty Media and the Hard Rock Stadium to hold the race at a new circuit venue that will loop around the Miami Dolphins NFL Stadium in the heart of the city.

Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is a key figure in leading the push for what would be a second grand prix to be held in the US, alongside Austin. And vice president and CEO of the Dolphins, Tom Garfinkel, has also expressed his enthusiasm of bringing the sport of F1 to Miami on his Twitter account.

The world’s greatest racing @f1 has never been to S. Florida. Imagine people coming to this region from around the World in May. Multiple passing zones and world-class clubs and amenities. Barcelona, Monaco… Miami… make it happen. pic.twitter.com/OxxUP4NFUN

— Tom Garfinkel (@TomGarfinkel) October 15, 2019

“We are thrilled to announce that Formula One and Hard Rock Stadium have reached an agreement in principle to host the first-ever Formula One Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium,” read the statement by Formula 1’s Managing Director Commercial Operations Sean Bratches and Tom Garfinkel, Vice Chairman and CEO of the Miami Dolphins and the Hard Rock Stadium. “With an estimated annual impact of more than $400 million and 35,000 room nights, the Formula One Miami Grand Prix will be an economic juggernaut for South Florida each and every year.

“We are deeply grateful to our fans, elected officials and the local tourism industry for their patience and support throughout this process. We look forward to bringing the greatest racing spectacle on the planet for the first time to one of the world’s most iconic and glamorous regions.”

Of course, as was the case with the original 2019 plan hitting the buffers, organisers of the revised deal will face the same problems in getting approval by the council, residents and Miami-Dade County before pushing for a slot on the 2021 calendar or beyond.

Only then can the planning and organisation begin, not to mention the most complex and intriguing process of building a brand new F1 circuit.