Formula 1 has announced the Miami Grand Prix will finally join the calendar in 2022.
A race in the Floridian city has been a top priority for commercial rights holder Liberty Media in recent years but has hit setback after setback in the face of strong local opposition.
In fact, the Miami GP was first planned to take place in 2019 on a street circuit located around the American Airlines Arena, but was forced to move to a new site on the grounds around the Hard Rock Stadium, home of the Dolphins NFL team.
Rather than ease the opposition, however, the new location only shifted it, as residents in Miami Gardens put roadblocks in place to try and stop the event.
But over the past week, Mayor Rodney Harris, along with the Miami GP promoters, signed a memorandum arguing the economic case and issuing assurances on environmental and disruption concerns, and on Thursday, a resolution was approved by Commissioners giving the F1 race the green light.
“We are thrilled to announce that Formula 1 will be racing in Miami beginning in 2022,” F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stated.
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“The USA is a key growth market for us, and we are greatly encouraged by our growing reach in the US which will be further supported by this exciting second race. We will be working closely with the team from Hard Rock Stadium and the FIA to ensure the circuit delivers exciting racing but also leaves a positive and lasting contribution to the people in the local community.
“We are grateful to our fans, the Miami Gardens elected officials and the local tourism industry for their patience and support throughout this process. We are looking forward to bringing the greatest racing spectacle on the planet to Miami for the first time in our sport’s history.”
Currently, no date has been confirmed yet for the Miami GP next year, but it was confirmed the race be in addition to F1's current United States GP at Austin's Circuit of the Americas.
A revised version of the circuit around Hard Rock Stadium has also been confirmed, featuring 19 corners and measuring 5.41km.
F1 also confirmed an initial 10-year deal is in place with the Miami GP, keeping it on the calendar until 2031.
"The Hard Rock Stadium entertainment campus in Miami Gardens exists to host the biggest global events to benefit the entire greater Miami region and Formula 1 racing is as big as it gets," Tom Garfinkel, Vice-Chairman, President & CEO at Hard Rock Stadium commented.
"We have worked with specialist designers to create a racetrack that we, Formula 1 and the FIA believe will provide great racing and we hope to create best-in-class unique fan experiences that are reflective of the diverse and dynamic nature of Miami.
“I want to thank Formula 1 and the Miami Gardens and Miami Dade County elected officials for working to bring this hugely impactful event here for years to come.”
