Formula 1’s bid to hold a second US race in Miami will come to fruition in 2022, it is predicted.
Ever since taking over the sport in 2017, Liberty Media has been pushing to hold a Grand Prix on the streets of the Floridian city in addition to the current US GP at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas.
This year was meant to see the inaugural race take place but, at every opportunity local officials and residents have moved to block the event.
As a result, F1 had to abandon its initially planned location near the American Airlines Arena and focus on the grounds surrounding Hard Rock Stadium.
Here too, however, locals have been vocal in their disapproval citing noise and pollution fears, but one Miami resident does expect the race to happen eventually.
“For sure it will happen, two years from now,” double world champion Emerson Fittipaldi was quoted by AutoWeek.
“Like so many, I’d prefer a race on Biscayne Boulevard downtown, but staging it around Hard Rock Stadium is much more convenient for everybody.”
Tavo Hellmund, who successfully organised F1’s return to the States in Austin in 2012 and Mexico’s comeback in 2015, is also optimistic.
“Chances are excellent that we’ll see an F1 race in Miami in 2022,” he said.
“It’s always a question of making the numbers work, but with the clout [Miami Dolphins owner] Stephen Ross carries in the Miami area, his support will definitely work in the race’s favour.”