Cue the Miami Vice theme as Formula 1 returns to Florida in 2022 with a decade-long deal.
After over 6 decades since the last Floridian grand prix in 1959, Formula 1 is returning yet again to the sunshine state for 2022 with the Miami GP. Announced recently as part of a 10-year deal, this new addition will be the second US race on the future F1 calendar after the existing Austin GP that takes place in Texas.
Set to take place within the grounds of the Hard Rock Stadium complex in Miami Gardens, this new location will be the 11th overall within the United States to play host to a F1 race. Rather interestingly too, this upcoming circuit will technically be the second parking lot grand prix for Formula 1, with the Caesars Palace Grand Prix of the 80s in Las Vegas laying claim to that title before it.
Now speaking more about the proposed circuit to be located at the home turf of NFL’s famous Miami Dolphins team, this new track is set to measure some 5.41 km in length with 19 corners and 3 straights. This new layout will also supposedly have the potential for 3 DRS overtaking zones, where cars are estimated to reach a top speed of 320 km/h.
As for details regarding exactly when the 2022 Miami GP will take place, it is still unconfirmed thus far though newly instated F1 president Stefano Domenicali has stated that the first race over there next year should be taking place in the second quarter of the year. With the intention to keep it separate from the other American race held at COTA, this could suggest therefore that this Floridian addition to the Formula 1 racing calendar be twinned with the Canadian GP that typically occurs in June.
A deal that was many years in the making, the confirmation of the Miami GP to be a mainstay in the F1 racing calendar for the next 10 years is said to be a mutually beneficial arrangement for both the motorsport organisers and the local Floridian community. Speaking first regarding the rewards reaped by the latter, this new race venue will supposedly ‘provide an additional tourist boost and economic impact to local businesses in the greater Miami region’ by way of an estimated 4,000 added jobs.
On F1’s part meanwhile, this upcoming race in Florida will serve to further grow the motorsport among American audiences. “The USA is a key growth market for us, and we are greatly encouraged by our growing reach in the US which will be further supported by this exciting second race,” said Mr Domenicali when announcing this new race location recently.
In other unrelated Formula 1 news that happened recently, the wet and wild 2021 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix held at Imola in Italy saw Max Verstappen snag Red Bull’s first win of the current season. Lewis Hamilton on the other hand came home second after a strong recovery drive having sent it into the wall midway through the race.
The Mercedes driver finishes ahead of Mclaren’s Lando Norris. Who not only rounded up the podium places by finishing third, but also managed to clinch the Driver of the Day title for his heroic defence against the charging Hamilton on the final laps of the race.
