Formula 1 chiefs are targeting a 2020 debut for the proposed Miami Grand Prix after attempts to hold the event next year were aborted, the series confirmed on Monday.
Liberty Media has been working closely with officials at the City of Miami but discussions surrounding the event have been postponed, leaving Formula 1 unable to reach a suitable agreement within the desired time scale.
Plans for the 2019 calendar are now able to move forward for the latter half of the season with Brazil, Austin and Mexico now able to work have more freedom to work in their preferred dates.
Discussions were set to take place later this week regarding the proposed Miami Grand Prix, but those were pushed back to September.
Formula 1 commercial chief Sean Bratches said: "In the last few months we have worked diligently alongside our promoter Stephen Ross of RSE Ventures, the City of Miami and Miami Dade County, to realise our ambition to bring a Formula 1 Grand Prix to Miami, and we have made significant progress: However, these are complicated negotiations.
"Whilst our preference would have been to race in Miami in 2019, there was always a point by which delivering the best possible wheel-to-wheel racing experience for our fans, drivers and teams wouldn’t be possible in the time available. We have now reached that point as far as racing in Miami in 2019 is concerned.
"However, we are taking a long-term view and as a result, we have decided, in consultation with the Miami authorities, to postpone sign-off until later in the summer, with the aim of running the first Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix in the 2020 season.
"We have always said that we wouldn’t compromise on delivering the best possible race, for the people of Miami, our fans and the 1.8 billion people who watch F1 globally every year, and if that meant waiting until 2020, then that was far more preferable than signing off on a sub-optimal race track, just to do a deal."
"At every stage of this process, we’ve enjoyed positive collaboration and co-operation with the City of Miami, Miami-Dade County, Port of Miami, Bayfront Parks Management, residents and businesses.
"As a result of these discussions, we have listened and adapted our plans, including elements of the track layout. We are committed to expansion in the US and to Miami in particular and we will be bringing our fantastic sport to this iconic city in October with the Formula 1 fan festival, where we look forward to engaging and exciting fans."
Formula 1's 2019 is therefore set to feature 20 Grands Prix.
