Miami will hold another crucial vote on its planned Formula One race next week.
In May, Miami’s City Commission voted to enter negotiations with F1 management over a proposed 10-year race deal, which would start next year. The race would be held around the Biscayne Bay area of the city.
The contents of the deal will be put to the City Commission on Thursday, July 26. Despite support from prominent politicians there has been local opposition to the race from homeowners’ associations, who are concerned about the impact of a race in the congested downtown area.
The existing circuit also goes through a controversial plot of land which for 20 years has been set aside to be a waterfront park, but discussions remain deadlocked at a local level.
The agenda says the city is urging Florida governor Rick Scott to support the event by approving funding. Four of the five commissioners must vote in favour of the contract for it to be approved. If it is, the race will be officially signed off by Miami mayor Francis Suarez.
The bid is spearheaded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross and the city hopes to host its debut race in October next year. Hosting the race on a Sunday morning is also a possibility, in order to properly capitalize on a worldwide audience.
If Miami’s race does join the calendar it will mean two U.S. races on the F1 circuit. The city of Austin already hosts the U.S. Grand Prix at its Circuit of the Americas and has a deal running until 2021, although it also hopes to extend its existing contract.