Miami has taken a step closer to becoming the home of the second Formula 1 race in the United States following a city vote on the matter.
F1’s owner Liberty Media is keen to boost the sport’s footprint in the US with “destination” races in major cities, with Miami the first of those to be seriously considered.
On Thursday the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee voted unanimously in favour of a preliminary agreement to host of a race on the city’s streets next year.
“With the unanimous votes at both the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County’s Economic Development and Tourism Committee, we are very pleased to have received preliminary approval towards bringing a Formula 1 Grand Prix to Miami,” commented Sean Bratches, managing director commercial operations at F1.
“We recognise that this is only the start of the process and we will immediately get to work with the various community stakeholders, the City of Miami, the Port of Miami, Bayfront Park Management Trust and others, in order to reach a final agreement.
“Formula 1 in Miami represents a fantastic opportunity to bring the greatest racing spectacle on the planet to one of the world’s most iconic cities, and we are delighted that the journey is underway.”
Although the exact timing of the event remains subject to further discussion, it is hoped the inaugural race will held in October 2019, likely taking place before or after the ‘United States GP’ currently held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
F1 is due to host an F1 Live experience in Miami later this year ahead of the US GP.
