Formula 1 and promoters have scrapped plans for a downtown Miami Grand Prix, according to a report in the Miami Herald.
Liberty Media and Stephen Ross, owner of the Miami Dolphines American football team, have been working on plans to bring F1 to the city with a downtown street circuit running around the waterfront and across the Port Boulevard bridge.
However the proposal was met with local opposition over potential traffic and noise complaints, forcing the original plans to be abandoned.
The report now claims the race could be moved to a new location within the city as part of a compromise.
The Hard Rock Stadium, which recently underwent a $700 million renovation and is owned by Ross, could play host to a Miami GP under new plans.
It would alleviate any concerns over traffic, road closures and the like according to Vice Chairman and CEO of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium, Tom Garfinkel.
"We want to do something great for Miami, but unfortunately when we finally received the detailed report of what it would take to build out a street circuit each year, the multiple weeks of traffic and construction disruption to the port, Bayfront Park and the residents and businesses on Biscayne Boulevard would have been significant; which Steve and I felt defeated the purpose," he said.
"A lot would have to happen for us to be able to do it [at the stadium], but we have over 250 acres of land so adding an F1 race to where Hard Rock Stadium and the Miami Open sit means we can create a world-class racing circuit that is unencumbered by existing infrastructure.
"It also means better ingress and egress, better amenities, unprecedented sight-lines, and opportunities for the best hospitality anywhere in racing.
"We only want to do it if we can create world-class racing, a great fan experience, and a lot of value for Miami."
Discussion about this post