F1 has doubled down on its efforts to bring Grand Prix racing to the streets of Miami in 2021, but local residents are just as determined to not let it happen.
Liberty Media and the Hard Rock Stadium - the home of the Miami Dolphins - recently concluded a deal to set up a circuit on the Dolphins' property located in Miami Gardens and organize an F1 Grand Prix in 2021.
However, like its previous botched effort to bring F1 to Florida which was centered around Miami's Bayfront Park area, Liberty and local promoter Stephen Ross are confronted with a staunch opposition from local residents.
At a meeting of the Miami Gardens City Council on Wednesday, a group of residents clearly stated that they wanted nothing to do with Formula 1, citing concerns about noise and air pollution associated with the potential event.
"As a matter of good public policy and civic engagement, I would have expected that, for a project as monumental as this, there should have been better communication and coordination between community groups, elected officials and, most importantly, our residents," said Miami gardens Vice-Mayor Erhabor Ighodaro.
Furthermore, County Commissioner Barbara Jordan how vowed to kill F1's plans.
"There comes a time when you have to take a stand when you feel that something is not right," she said, quoted by the Bradenton Herald.
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At Wednesday's meeting, representatives of the Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium were adamant that an F1 event would deliver significant economic, entertainment and employment benefits to the area.
The dialogue between the opposing sides is set to continue, but Formula 1 is aware that it is facing an uphill battle.
On its official Miami GP website, residents of Miami can voice their support for the event and fill in an online form that will be sent to their relevant local commissioner.
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