Miami Could Get Formula 1 Grand Prix Race In 2019

MIAMI, FL - The Miami City Commission has placed an item on next week's agenda proposing to hold a Formula 1 Grand Prix race in downtown Miami in October 2019, according to a statement from a Formula 1 official.

Sean Bratches, managing director commercial operations of Formula 1, said in a statement that the city commission's approval "will make way to bring Formula 1 to downtown Miami next season. 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 glamorous cities, combined with its robust tourism infrastructure, makes Miami the perfect destination for Formula 1 and its fans.”

Stephen Ross, Miami Dolphins owner and a supporter of the proposed race, added: In cooperation 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."

The Miami Herald reported a 10-year deal was under consideration, with a vote scheduled May 10 to authorize city manager Emilio Gonzalez to negotiate a contract by July 1.

The event would be the first street race in the U.S. since a grand prix in Phoenix, Arizona in 1991. The Miami race would be the second Formula 1 race held in the U.S., along with the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas.

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