City of Miami Commission to vote on proposal on May 10
Tuesday 11 December 2018 14:24, UK
Formula 1 have announced a proposal to hold a Grand Prix in Miami in 2019.
Liberty Media, who took control of F1 in late 2016, have often spoken of their desire to add US "destination cities" to the calendar, and have detailed a proposal for a street race in downtown Miami next season.
A vote at the City of Miami Commission will take place on May 10, where it will be decided whether to proceed with these plans - with a multi-year race contract up until 2028 under consideration.
There has never been an F1 race in Miami before, with Austin currently the only US city hosting an event.
"Earlier today the City of Miami Commission took an important step by adding an item to their upcoming agenda, that if approved, will make way to bring Formula 1 to downtown Miami next season," F1's commercial boss Sean Bratches said.
"We appreciate the community's interest in hosting a Formula 1 race and look forward to working with local officials and stakeholders to bring this vision to life.
"With over half a billion fans worldwide, Formula 1 is the greatest racing spectacle on the planet, and Miami's status as one of the world's most iconic and glamorous cities, combined with its robust tourism infrastructure, makes Miami the perfect destination for Formula 1 and its fans."
Las Vegas, New York and Los Angeles have all been mooted as other potential targets for F1 races by the sport's US owners, but a Miami event would be their first official addition to the calendar since succeeding Bernie Ecclestone.
The Miami New Times report that a race would take place in October 2019.
"Miami is a first-class global city and Formula 1 is a first-class global brand," added Stephen Ross, US entrepreneur and supporter of the proposed race.
"In cooperation with the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County, I am confident we can deliver yet another global event that will be a destination for people from around the world and drive economic value to South Florida.
"From football and soccer to tennis and motorsports, Miami deserves only the best in music, food, art, fashion, and sports and entertainment, and that is exactly what we plan on delivering with a Formula 1 race."
Sky Sports News understands that Miami's inclusion on the calendar would not be at the expense of the Azerbaijan GP. There were enquiries whether the Baku City Circuit might sell or lease its temporary pit buildings to Miami - should Miami host a race in 2019.
However, these discussions were unconnected to the future of the race in Azerbaijan. Sky Sources have revealed Baku fully intends to fulfil its contract to host F1 for the next two years and could take up an option to continue beyond 2020.
The 'Grand Prix of Miami' name has been used for several IndyCar and sportscar races since the 1980s, with Formula E most recently holding a street race in the city in 2015.
