Though there remains the little matter of convincing the locals, F1 and the Hard Rock Stadium have agreed in principle to host a Miami Grand Prix 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," said the Miami Dolphins CEO, Tom Garfinkel and F1 commercial director, Sean Bratches 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.

"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."

With local residents and businesses objecting to the original plan to host a race in downtown Miami, that would have seen cars run down Biscayne Boulevard and pass through Bayfront Park, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross instead switched focus to his own stadium.

As a result, the plan is to host a race adjacent to the Hard Rock Stadium, and courtesy of a longstanding contract that allows the Dolphins to host any event of their choosing, community approval isn't essential.

That said local businesses and residents remain opposed to the event which still requires approval from Miami-Dade County commissioners.

"It's very difficult for me to get past the fact that you are talking about a Formula One race in the middle of a bedroom community," said activist and former Miami-Dade County Commissioner, Barbara Ferguson at a recent community meeting hosted by the Dolphins. "That does not make sense to me."

"We support, and love, and are very excited about the prospect of Formula One coming," said Wendy Kallergis, president and CEO of the Greater Miami and the Beaches Hotel Association, according to the Miami Herald. "I can tell you all of our hotels across Miami-Dade County, our employees, our general managers are very excited about it."

While much of the proposed track will be located within the stadium site, a section of public road, Northwest 199th Street will be used.

"Hosting the race at the stadium site limits the work that has to be done to public streets," said Bratches, "which means very little disruption to surrounding residents and businesses as we prepare for the race."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by The stogie, 17/10/2019 22:28

"I will believe this when I see it. "

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2. Posted by alvarezh3, 16/10/2019 23:54

"@Kdxrider

The FIA, FOM, and the teams have positioned themselves with their backs to the wall. As seen, no one in Florida is willing to spend the millions on a proper F1 track nor the (usually) enormous promoter's fees on top of that. It's obvious to the investors that it's not a sound business proposition.

So you are right, that's what F1 gets, a parking lot racetrack, just like Las Vegas a few decades back. That's what Liberty now believes it to be a "chic" venue, it's their idea of Montecarlo on the North American continent!

Miami is not Manama. Miami it's a world renown tourist destination, it does not need to pay US$40 mils to FOM to promote itself year after year. Therefore, forget about (local or state) government money for any construction, promoter's fees or anything related to a F1 race.

FOM needs Miami (to promote F1 in the USA) more than Miami (if at all) needs them."

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3. Posted by kdxrider, 16/10/2019 22:40

"Not even a street circuit, it's carpark racing ---- wtf"

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4. Posted by KKK, 16/10/2019 12:03

"Maybe they should have 2 championships, one called "USA F1" and the other "Real F1"...."

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5. Posted by Anthony, 16/10/2019 11:30

"Not another street circuit, please ......"

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6. Posted by alvarezh3, 16/10/2019 5:40

"@PaulC

"These people can barely accept a Formula E race." Not even that, it didn't happen this year and it won't be on the 19-20 calendar.

The New York Eprix is runned on a cargo dock although they like to call it "the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal" (to make it sound less demeaning), which in reality is beside it.

The TV cameras are pointed so they show the Statue of Liberty and the Manhattan skyline when not directed at the cars. This to give an impression they are running on a metropolitan area. What a farce."

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7. Posted by Paul C, 16/10/2019 4:50

""Residents are concerned about noise, traffic and pollution"
This is all that matters from the Miami Herald October 4 article. These people can barely accept a Formula E race."

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8. Posted by alvarezh3, 16/10/2019 4:20

"@Kenji

In order to run the Long Beach GP, the organizers have come in agreement with the people living on the high-rise apartment buildings that surround the circuit and they have agreed to be bussed to Disneyland all expenses paid.

I have read of complaints by citizens of Montecarlo on how they don't really enjoy all the inconveniences they face before, during, and after the GP. Taxi drivers particularly hate it, but they have said that the increased revenue partly justify their troubles.

I like Led Zeppelin, The Who, Cream, Hendrix, etc. My father has never heard of them, and if he did, he would not listen to them. Some people don't like loud music, others don't like the sound of ICEs..... even during the daylight hours.

One thing the citizens that live around the Hard Rock stadium can't complain is the increase in road traffic and/or crowd roar, when the Dolphins score a touch down, like it or not, they are sure to hear it.

I personally don't care much about what surroundings a racetrack has, so the place or city where is situated is not of much importance to me. Having said that, I must admit that the European venues, with all the green pastures and surrounding trees make for a pleasant sight. What really matters to me (and probably to most of us) is the action on a well designed track."

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9. Posted by Paul C, 16/10/2019 4:15

"Note to kenji: Bedroom community is a suburban area that is mainly residential with stores to serve the community. Most of the people who live in "bedroom community" areas are averse to anything that makes a higher noise level. Also most of the residents of American bedroom communities have the time and willingness to go to their local government and raise opposition to anything that bothers or offends them. "

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10. Posted by kenji, 15/10/2019 23:54

"What is a 'bedroom community' and why should it be disadvantaged by an F1 race? I presume that it is a daytime race that's planned."

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11. Posted by alvarezh3, 15/10/2019 22:38

"I personally hope it goes through, I went to all the IMSA "Miami G P" back in the eighties. Never the less, it seems that in the USA everything has to be objected these days. Hope they can get their impasse resolved with the County Commissioners.
For those interested, there was an article on the Miami Herald's sport section dated October 4 about this issue, it's entitled "Formula One auto race at Hard Rock Stadium could be blocked by Miami-Dade County". I won't post the link, Editor may not like it, Google it! :-)"

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F1 and Hard Rock Stadium agree in principle to Miami Grand Prix

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