The inhabitants of Miami upset Liberty Media’s plans for the second United States Grand Prix
The American owner of Formula 1 is keen on organizing a second Grand Prix in the United States, in Miami. Initially meant to be a mere formality, defining the track layout is proving to be a real headache for investors.
Like the Monaco Grand Prix which winds through the streets of the Principality, Miami hoped to host its Formula 1 race in the downtown streets, in Downtown, on Biscayne Boulevard, all the way to Bayfront Park, as the Formula E had successfully done for an ePrix organized in 2015.
For Liberty Media, allied with a wealthy investor, Stephen Ross, the validation of the track was supposed to be a formality. That was without reckoning on the mobilization of local residents, who opposed the arrival of the single-seaters and the installation of the paddock in their city center.
To avoid any legal battle, the mayor of the city has thus given up! The Miami Grand Prix will change its tune but will still take place, a little further north of the city near the stadium of the American football team the Dolphins, and a few meters from the brand new Hard Rock Stadium, which hosted the new edition of the Masters 1000 tennis tournament a month ago.
Liberty Media had nevertheless paved the way for the arrival of the premier discipline of motor sports by organizing Formula 1 exhibitions in the city of Florida. Red Bull even drove its single-seater as part of an American road trip. This will not have been enough to convince the residents for the organization of a Grand Prix, which will take place over the next 10 years.
Taking #F1 to Miami 🇺🇸 As @Max33Verstappen goes for a US Road Trip of his own 👌👉 https://t.co/NlPAOpxUZc pic.twitter.com/AZIuCn3WiN
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) 11 octobre 2018
Nevertheless, the determination to organize the Miami Grand Prix remains intact, at least for the organizers. “We want to do something impressive in Miami. We will only organize a Grand Prix if we manage to create a world-class circuit, offering an interesting experience to Formula 1 fans, while guaranteeing value creation for Miami,” said Tom Garfinkel, former leader of Ganassi Racing and in charge of this new Grand Prix project.
