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Miami to vote on holding F1 race in 2019

2019 F1 season

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An F1 street race in Miami has moved closer to becoming a reality as the city will hold a vote next week on whether to bid for a place on the 2019 F1 calendar.

Expanding the Formula One calendar in the USA is a key goal of commercial rights holders Liberty Media. A Miami race has long been considered a prime target.

Sean Bratches, F1’s managing director of commercial operations, welcomed the news.

“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,” he 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 glamourous cities, combined with its robust tourism infrastructure, makes Miami the perfect destination for Formula 1 and its fans.”

Stephen Ross, the entrepreneur behind the proposed race, said “Miami is a first-class global city and Formula 1 is a first-class global brand. In co-operation 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.”

Fernando Alonso, McLaren, Baku City Circuit, 2018
How Ecclestone’s parting shot to Liberty added to their F1 calendar woes
Ross was previously behind a rival bid to buy Formula One when Liberty Media took over the sport from former owners CVC.

The potential arrival of F1 has already drawn opposition from some local groups, who have taken out adverts in newspapers urging the city not to support the race. Among potential routes considered for an F1 race was an ambitious plan to race cars through the PortMiami tunnel.

Miami previously held a round of the Formula E championship in 2015.

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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63 comments on “Miami to vote on holding F1 race in 2019”

  1. I might finally get to attend a race now.

    1. Never felt like attending one of the COTA races? @ppzzus

      1. @phylyp from where im at in the country its about a seventeen hour drive, but only ten to Miami.

        1. @ppzzus – so basically you need to do an endurance drive to watch F1 :-)

        2. Why take the car? Just take a train or plane.

      2. The distance between my city and Austin is the equivalent of going from London to Rome (Ferry included).

        1. Can you fly from Miami to Austin?
          Whatever you do don’t fly southwest airline.

        2. I don’t think a lot of people in Europe really get how big the US is. For me, Austin is almost twice and far away (1,546 miles) as Monza is from London (820 Miles) . Within that distance if you live in London you’ve got Spain, Monaco, France, Silverstone, Germany, and Belgium. Of course Miami is still almost 1,000 miles away.

  2. This race won’t happens because:
    1 – no.
    2 – probably not.
    3 – will fight for attendance with mex/bra gps – and maybe texas.
    4 – F1 GPs apparently are being used as mini-Olympics/Expos to create buzz (and expenses) for cities – and that is the goal with this announcement.
    Next steps: “New F1 GP seems to attract private money”. Then, a F1 car parades the streets of [insert random city name]. Then, local council tries to overcome legal barriers. Cancelment not announced. Rise and repeat.
    Maybe I’m too cynic, but call me again when the first brick is layed.

    1. That’s a fantastically coherent and well informed comment.

    2. @gus maia

      1. @gus maia Where were you during all of your geography lessons in School, LOL? The distance between Miami and Sao Paulo is a massive 6,568.64 km by air, so, they’re nowhere near close to each other geographically. The respective distances to Mexico City and Austin are significantly great as well, so nowhere near close to them either. There’s far less distance between Spa and Monza, for example, than there is between Miami and Sao Paulo, Miami, and Mexico City, or Miami and Austin. You should check the facts first before claiming something.

        1. @Jere:
          1 – Have you checked how many brazilians travel to miami every year – over a million.
          From Brazil, sometimes is cheaper (and more interesting) to travel to the US than internally. Distance sometimes is measured in dollars not miles.
          2 – Have you checked how many people from other south/central american countries come to Sao Paulo GP?
          How many of those 1 and 2 would see a Miami GP – complemented with a visit to Disney/Orlando – as option to the gray jungle of Sao Paulo?
          3 – Is it inconcievable that an US/Canada resident choose Miami over Mexico City for a second/third GP in a given year?
          4 – Just check a comment below apparently from a US resident that lives closer to Miami than to Austin. So Miami can be a first option for potential Austin audiences.
          Yes, I was witty with reasons 1, 2 and 4, but there would be a real repercution to other GP in the continent if a Miami GP were set up.
          If I missed somes Geography classes, I’ve certainly not missed many Marketing classes.

          1. In case you haven’t noticed, the US doesn’t let silly mileage effect its business. The billionaire leading this charge is Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphins among other businesses. If he wants a race in Miami, there will be a race in Miami.

  3. Can someone give me a link to the circuit layout, if there is one already released?

    1. Supposedly they want the race in a similar area the the e-prix was held. I’d just google that, probably your best bet but nothing will be finalized for a few months. Even if it gets approved.

    2. @mashiat None yet, though that article linked towards the end gives a rough indication of the area they’re looking at.

  4. I’ll refrain from judgement until we know more, but: Miami is a terrible place, the circuit will most likely be terrible, I don’t know why the US needs two races, and with all the excellent races on the calendar this is likely to cost a far better race a place. I don’t like it. Oops, I didn’t refrain.

    1. Miami is a terrible place, the circuit will most likely be terrible

      @hahostolze – I’ve never been there, so could you please expand on this a bit? Is it the weather, streets, etc?

      1. @phylyp Naturally this is all personal opinion, but it is a humid concrete pile in a swamp, no identity in the centre, no vibe other than beach, beachbodies and party, you can feel how humans aren’t supposed to live there, Floridians are not my favourite people (based on the few I know well) and to me it epitomises soulless. That being said, the separate cities of Miami Beach and Coral Gables are OK.

        1. @hahostolze – ah, ok :-) I had a higher opinion of the place thanks to Hollywood’s promotion of “beach, beachbodies and party”, and am now saddened to know that that’s all it’s all about.

        2. Looks like you and I visited a completely different city

        3. I’m guessing you never saw the IMSA races in downtown Miami in the 80’s. I was there for all of them and raced there in 1990. Miami might not have the history of a 300 year old city but having lived in SFla for 47 years, I have a different take on the city.

        4. Whatever…

        5. “Floridians are not my favourite people (based on the few I know well) and to me it epitomises soulless.” My friend you have yet to meet a real Floridian and I can tell you now you wont find one in Miami! lol I’m a Floridian, my and my cronies don’t consider Orlando or Miami to be part of Florida….

    2. Miami’s climate is different from the rest of Florida’s. Miami’s climate is similar to that of the Caribbean’s whereas the rest of Florida is sort of an extreme version of the climate of the rest of the US east coast (humid sun-tropical) Also Miami is a fantastic place to have something like a Formula One GP- the weather is ideal in winter and with Los Angeles and New York it is the most cosmopolitan and cultured city in the entire US. Less sophisticated places like Indianapolis and Detroit are not suitable for F1 because those cities have less appreciation for exotic stuff. And for anyone who hasn’t actually been to America- you will find that the West and East Coasts are 2 very different places climate and culture wise. For instance- having been to both Long Beach (Los Angeles) and Watkins Glen (New York State) and having lived on both coasts, I can attest to them being very different places. America is a cultural melting pot- that’s why it needs either 2 or 3 races.

  5. I have not been to Miami so don’t know much about the proposed routes. I like street circuits though so to me this sounds like a good idea.

    I have read though that the 2015 Formula E race there was really badly organised so hopefully this is being done by Simone else.

    1. Or someone else even! Not Simone again.

    2. Miami is a lot of fun to visit, particularly if you live in a place that gets cold winters: it has great beaches, a fabulous culinary scene and an incredible nightlife. Miami is a cultural melting pot and it is the second most visited American city by foreign travelers (behind NYC)- getting there from Europe is easy as most airlines do non-stoppers there. It is also shamelessly ostentatious, rather expensive, dangerous in the wrong areas and some areas are full of people who only speak Spanish. I remember when I went there once I went to fill up my car once and the snack shop attendant couldn’t speak any English, so I had to use my limited Spanish to communicate. And I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many Rolls Royce Phantom Dropheads in my life- in what is such a beautiful city that was truly an eye gouging sight.

  6. Miami + Formula 1 = match made in heaven

  7. I don’t want to sound rude but how many races are Liberty planning to have in the USA?
    We have COTA which I think is one that Hermann Tilke finally got right, so please don’t change that.
    New York has been there for a while- I assume too hard to shut down the city.
    Las Vegas- that had a race in something like 1983 or 84 I think? Or was that Long Beach? Not even BE could shut Vegas down.
    They just seem to need that 2nd race don’t they!

    As an Aussie Liberty have really ****** up our season with the one hour set back on time- its made pretty well most of the season unwatchable live. And the USA audience wont watch F1 as its on at a better time- they just don’t really embrace F1, that’s ok. But Aussies do.

    Liberty have done some great things then push for some not so great things. We don’t need 2, 3 or 4 races in the USA – it wont help F1 get back to its best. Zandvoort or some of the old school tracks maybe?? Any thoughts on old tracks F1 can revisit?

    1. A lot of people say the USA should only have one race but if you take that logic the Europe should only have 1 bc the USA is the size of all of Europe. Fans on each coast need something within a 20 hour drive. The race in COTA draws big crowds so why not have a 2nd race? I feel this has a lot to do with American dislike. We need to drop Russia or Abu Dhabi to free up space.

      1. There is no dislike towards the USA from my point of view (except for Liberty changing our start times), I just believe each country should one race. Italy got away with two races with San Marino at Imola, and Spain grabbed two as well with Valencia with the European GP.

        I see your point with America being so big and COTA draws a great crowd. Australia is very similar in land mass (slightly smaller if I remember year 8 geography) and that gets a real good crowd. So based on that we should get another GP in Perth!!

        Happy to drop Russia or Abu Dhabi to get another race………. well, pretty well anywhere :)

        1. The United States is a different case when it comes to hosting F1 races. It’s the biggest market in the world and there are so many different parts of it that it would make sense to have 2 to 4 GP’s there. 1982 saw America host 3 GP’s (Long Beach (Los Angeles), Vegas, Detroit). But the thing is if America is going to host, say 3 races then they can’t be too close to each other (it’s either Los Angeles, Vegas or San Francisco- take your pick). So there could be Texas, a race on the West Coast, and Miami.

        2. The United States is a different case when it comes to hosting F1 races. It’s the biggest market in the world and there are so many different parts of it that it would make sense to have 2 to 4 GP’s there. 1982 saw America host 3 GP’s (Long Beach (Los Angeles), Vegas, Detroit). But the thing is if America is going to host, say 3 races then they can’t be too close to each other (it’s either Los Angeles, Vegas or San Francisco- take your pick). So there could be Texas, a race on the West Coast, and Miami. I would love to see the Port Imperial/NYC race happen but at this point that isn’t really necessary because there of Montreal.

        3. The United States is a different case when it comes to hosting F1 races. It’s the biggest market in the world and there are so many different parts of it that it would make sense to have 2 to 4 GP’s there. 1982 saw America host 3 GP’s (Long Beach (Los Angeles), Vegas, Detroit). But the thing is if America is going to host, say 3 races then they can’t be too close to each other (it’s either Los Angeles, Vegas or San Francisco- take your pick). So there could be Texas, a race on the West Coast, and Miami. I would love to see the Port Imperial/NYC race happen but at this point that isn’t really necessary because of Montreal.

  8. From the Motorsport.com.article concerning this same topic:
    ”It has been suggested that F1 would make room on its 21-race calendar by dropping Azerbaijan.”
    – The German GP is already going to drop again (At present, it’s next to guaranteed if not entirely guaranteed that the German GP won’t be part of the Championship next season), so why should the Azerbaijan GP have to drop as well? If I’d have to choose, then I’d rather drop Circuit de Catalunya or Monaco, for this one if it ever actually were to happen.

    1. Rumours ( fed by a certain italian ex teamboss FB) in Azerbeidjan that the containers with all the F1 stuff already been sold to Miami.
      So2018 Azerbeidjans last F1 race and next year Miami…

    2. @jerejj Because Azerbaijan has accomplished what it wanted and does not want to hold the Grand Prix anymore. That’s why it sold all the stuff to Miami (I have heard the same rumour as @erikje :) )

      1. @silfen ”sold all the stuff to Miami” – That isn’t true, though, according to Arif Rahimov (The Azerbaijan GP promoter), so I doubt the validness of that rumor to a certain extent at least.

        1. @jerejj I don’t doubt the source has overheard FB and BE talking about this, but may be he has misheard something and should it be “going to be sold” or something like that. But that’s what I heard.

          1. @silfen OK. We shall wait and see what the outcome is eventually going to be.

  9. I have been to Miami a few times and it’s all right to visit as a tourist but not live there. As sports goes in that city, it’s almost a desert. Away from the Miami Dolphins and University of Miami football teams, other sports struggle to get attention and fans to come to home games. Taxpayers in the city have already funded two sports venues, most recently, the baseball stadium for the Marlins, which sit at the bottom of attendance numbers for Major League Baseball franchises. So while the sanctioning fees for an F1 race is not that large compared to a new stadium, they may not want to pay it. Liberty should consider moving it up the coast to West Palm Beach or Orlando.

    1. Orlando is completely unsuitable for an F1 race. I lived there for 2 years and can attest that without Disney, there is very little else to do there.

    2. Also there used to be IMSA sportscar races in West Palm Beach. But that is where Mar-a-Lago is… can you imagine Trump giving out the winner’s trophy? God almighty, that would be unpleasant…

  10. JungleMartin
    2nd May 2018, 15:40

    2019? Isn’t it a bit late to get a race organised for next year, even if it is a street circuit?

    Or is this just a ruse to apply pressure to an existing venue, like good old Bernie used to do all the time?

  11. Josh (@canadianjosh)
    2nd May 2018, 15:56

    Miami would be a flashy place to have a race but I have 5 other destinations in the US I would choose before an F1 race in Florida would happen. Watching no Glen, Vegas, the proposed Manhattan back drop circuit, an LA area race or even Laguna Seca.

    1. Mark in Florida
      2nd May 2018, 16:48

      Miami does have very distinct and colorful architecture but it really seems like it’s another south American city. It is very Latino in culture so there’s a lot of screaming and loud argument going on at times in the streets. Not too sure about how a track layout would work, the echoing off the high rises would be horrendous. If you want to experience Florida and have a good time they need to hold the race in downtown Orlando. This location is central to everything important in Florida. Disney world, Sea World, Universal, Legoland etc. The list goes on and on. All of it an easy drive of just a few minutes from downtown, except for Legoland it’s about 40 minutes away. I see no compelling reason to go to Miami. Miami has the beach, night clubs and some great Latin food but that’s about it. Orlando would blow Miami out of the water as far as a venue for fans went. That city is as tourist friendly as you can get and you can see the rest of Florida if you have time enough on your schedule.

      1. They should make Miami or Orlando (if it gets into theirs heads) a night race just like in Singapore.

        1. If Orlando didn’t have Disney, it would be the single most boring place in all of Florida. I lived there for 2 years and it is wholly in appropriate for an F1 race.

    2. RP (@slotopen)
      3rd May 2018, 1:39

      @canadianjosh

      Laguna Seca would be so awesome. Sadly I’ve heard the track couldn’t meet F1’s standards. Would love to see F1 cars going through the corkscrew in Q3.

      The Glen would be amazing too. That is technically more possible, but it is awfully close to Montreal.

  12. Anywhere that wants to host a race the NEXT YEAR is never planned well.
    Maybe 2020… or when New Jersey gets its race! Lol

  13. Miami is a globally iconic city, i’d be excited to see it on the calendar as long as it races alongside the beach/water.

  14. Maybe we need to get B.E. back on the job. He seems to have a great track record of pulling $$$ out of wide-eyed promoters.
    Someone else can fill in the numbers here …. please.
    – The host city will need to pony-up a wad of cash to get on the calendar. Lots, somewhere N of $25 M …. or …?
    – The host city will need to build facilities, modify roads, provide top-flight access facilities to the rich and famous, How much .$$$
    – The host city needs to close down sections of the city for likely a week, can’t imagine what locals and businesses will say to that. I can imagine it, but the mod wouldn’t like it.
    – There will be a ton of advertising revenue generated, all going to F1, not the City
    – Well at least there will be great TV revenue …. sorry, that all goes to F1 as well.
    – Guessing there will be insurance (it is in the US remember) and policing costs, what the heck, give that to the City.
    – Ticket revenues, assuming 250,000 people over 3 days at $100 a head. Sounds like just about what the hosting fee would be …. problem is I doubt that a street circuit will handle that many paying customers. Need to charge more.
    I LOVE the idea of another NA race, long overdue, but to build an FIA approved circuit will be very difficult …. insert $$$s here and it will be a monumental achievement to pull it off and finish in the black.

  15. FlatSix (@)
    2nd May 2018, 21:08

    I think the calendar should consist of many different type of tracks, fast and flowing, slow and technical, all you like, but do we really need another street track? Basically the type of tracks where an F1 car is least home? With Singapore, Baku and Monaco I think we have street tracks covered, no?

    I’d rather see another challenging purpose build track on the calendar that offers something that’s not yet on the calendar. New Delhi for example would be a great addition again.

  16. @flatsix:

    do we really need another street track?

    No. No, we don’t. In other words, absolutely not.

  17. That’s amazing that Miami might host an F1 GP but if any one race should be replaced by Miami it is undoubtedly Russia, not Azerbaijan. Sochi is the worst circuit on the calendar and everyone hates it; unfortunately thanks to Vlad Putin it will be there for a while.

    1. That’s a fair trade. Swap Sochi for Miami. Unless Trump appears on the podium with the drivers. Then… not so much.

      1. Trump probably doesn’t know what F1 is. But I can say that as an american, if that happened, I would never go to a race there. Mar-a-Lago is not too far away from Miami… *shudders*

  18. Please vote yes. I live in Orlando, florida so it will be 3 hours driving from here.

  19. How about night race in Miami.

  20. Steef Chinn
    4th May 2018, 10:14

    I can see it now:

    Crockett and Tubbs lookalikes leading the drivers parade around the circuit in a white Testarossa convertible.

    Bring it on!

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