The prospective Miami Grand Prix could be off to a rocky start, with the city expecting its plans to host an F1 race as early as next year to be disrupted by local residents associations.
Earlier this month, Miami's City Commission gave the green light to its representatives to enter talks with The Formula One Group for an F1 race in the Magic City.
While no firm agreement is yet in place, the event's inception likely won't go quietly.
"I was around back in the heyday of the Miami Grand Prix, and we’re going to have major activity that disrupts – either through noise or street closures – the lives of these thousands of residents,” said Miami commissioner Joe Carollo, speaking to Motorsport.com.
"We’re going to end up being sued and I’m going to tell you that they’re probably going to win suits.
"As a family [the City Commission], we need to look at this.
"Having said that, I’m ready to move forward because this [step] is only authorising the administration to sit down, discuss and negotiate and come back to us for a final ruling."
Miami mayor Francis Suarez is also anticipating a protest from local residents although he insisted many were in favour of the city opening its streets to F1 given the undeniable economic windfall for the city.
"The residents are our bosses, and we have to take into account their concerns," said Suarez.
"The two major homeowner associations in the area have already expressed some concerns, but also said that this may be good for us. I think that’s a positive start.
"Often residents can start off in opposition, but the fact they’re open to working with promoters and other stakeholders, for me that’s a big positive," he added.
"From what I’ve seen from the promoters, they are very conscientious that this is a race that does impact residents and businesses, and everything I’ve seen from them indicates that they’re going to listen and work hard to make everybody happy."
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