It’s not quite a done deal yet – there are still things to finalise and contracts to sign – but the fact that a Miami Grand Prix was overwhelmingly voted for by the city has to be a good sign there’ll be an F1 race there next year. F1 wants it, the city wants it, and as fans, surely we all want it, right?
The race will apparently run for 10 years and be held at some point in October, close to the current race in Austin. It seems likely it could replace Hockenheim, keeping the calendar at 21 races for now, although with the likes of Vietnam also rumoured to get a race, that number could yet grow.
One of the things likely to be up for discussion is the track layout. The proposed route through the Biscayne Bay area of the city was revealed last week to mixed reviews – Lewis Hamilton isn’t a fan, and even offered his services to help redesign it.
We rather like the look of it, though – it’s very different to existing tracks on the calendar which is surely a good thing. The two long straights heading over the bridge could not only look spectacular, but also generate some bonkers Baku-style racing, and who wouldn’t want that?!
Today got a first look at a potential map for @F1 in @downtownMIA. Most of course is in the port with a loop around AAArena. Would you like to see #miami become a stop on the Formula One circuit? pic.twitter.com/sOY08hJ5yM
— Ken Russell Miami (@kenrussellmiami) May 3, 2018
Miami also slots in neatly with Liberty’s desire to hold a second race in the USA. F1 commercial chief Sean Bratches said of the news:
“We are very pleased to have received preliminary approval towards bringing a Formula 1 Grand Prix to Miami. 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 One 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.”
Bring it on!
