First step achieved for a Grand Prix in Miami

The F1 calendar will continue to evolve before next season. Or at least, it should evolve. Indeed, the Miami City Council has unanimously voted to bring F1 to its streets in 2019.

Sean Bratches, the commercial director of F1, can only be pleased: “With the unanimous votes from the city of Miami and the Miami-Dade County Economic and Tourism Development Committee, we are thrilled to have received a preliminary agreement to host a Formula 1 Grand Prix in Miami. We are well aware that this is just the beginning of the process and we will immediately work with the various stakeholders to reach a final agreement.”

At the head of the negotiations on the Liberty Media side will be Chloe Targett-Adams, well-versed in this type of negotiation, as she was the driving force behind bringing India, Mexico, Russia, and France to the calendar.

But we also sense an evolution in F1’s commercial strategy: while Bernie Ecclestone offered his lineup to the highest bidder, even if it meant ending up in Sochi with almost no audience on site, F1 is seeking to move closer to the model established by Formula E, where all races take place in the centers of the cities it visits: « There are always a number of factors you need to analyze with a strategic eye, whether it’s the racing aspect, the location, the weather… We are now looking for iconic places and around major cities with a large fan base where we can truly engage with our audience and also attract new fans. »

That is why public events like what took place in the streets of London last year are going to multiply. It has already been announced that there will be an event of this kind in the streets of Marseille, just before the return of the French Grand Prix. Miami will also get a taste of F1 since a public demonstration will take place as a prelude to the Austin Grand Prix.

Asked whether he preferred races in iconic locations or on beautiful circuits, Valtteri Bottas mentioned that from a driver’s perspective, he always preferred the latter as it’s where they can best express themselves. However, the prospect of racing on the streets of Miami was still appealing to him.

From our special correspondent in Barcelona