The first ever Miami Grand Prix took a step closer to reality this week as an agreement in principle was signed between Formula 1 and the Hard Rock Stadium.
There were hopes a race could be held along the Miami seafront, but those plans were derailed, leading to an alternative location to be sought.
Last year Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins American football team, stepped forward to propose a race be held around the Hard Rock Stadium within the Miami Gardens region, which organisers have been working on making a reality.
Those plans got the green light as the two parties signed an agreement to push ahead with the race, which is set to take place in 2021.
“We are thrilled to announce that Formula 1 and Hard Rock Stadium have reached an agreement in principle to host the first-ever Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix at Hard Rock Stadium,” Dolphins CEO Tom Garfinkel and F1 commercial director Sean Bratches said in a joint statement.
"With an estimated annual impact of more than $400 million and 35,000 room nights, the Formula 1 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," Garfinkel added. "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."
This is a major step forward in realising a second US based race, but it still faces some hurdles with approval required by Miami-Dade County commissioners.
