Sean Bratches, Formula One’s managing director of commercial operations, admitted that Miami will be the “perfect destination” for a new event in the calendar, as plans for a Grand Prix in the city next October moved a step closer. The City of Miami Commission will vote next week on whether to proceed with plans for Formula 1 to hold a street race in the city.
Sean Bratches has frequently spoken of adding ‘destination’ events to the calendar since he was appointed to the role of commercial chief upon Liberty Media’s acquisition of the sport in early 2017. Should the plans come to fruition it would be the first new Grand Prix added under Liberty’s watch, with a provisional October date on the 2019 calendar, with the contract running through 2028.
US entrepreneur Stephen Ross, who holds a majority stake in the Miami Dolphins, has also been revealed as a supporter of the proposed event: “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.” said Sean Bratches, as reported earlier today by the British media – “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.” – he added.
A Grand Prix around the streets of Miami would take place in addition to the current United States Grand Prix, which is held at the Circuit of the Americas near Austin, Texas. Miami will also host an F1 fan festival ahead of this year’s United States Grand Prix.
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