Miami Grand Prix: latest on race dates, ticket information, and circuit layout

Formula 1 is officially hitting Miami! After years of planning, the Miami Grand Prix is officially on. Having signed a ten-year deal, the Floridian city will host F1 races for the next decade from 2022, strengthening the sport’s appeal and reach in the United States.

The race is an addition to the United States Grand Prix, which takes place at Austin’s Circuit of the Americas. It’ll also be the fourth race in North America, along with the Canadian and Mexican Grands Prix.

It won’t be the first time that Florida has hosted Formula 1 however, with the first US Grand Prix held at Sebring in 1959. It will be the 10^th city in the USA to host a race, joining the ranks of Las Vegas, Phoenix, Detroit and Indianapolis. But with a ten-year deal, it will be looking to build a legacy across a long-term deal in the sport.

But why Miami? What will the race look like? And importantly, when can fans buy tickets to be at the race? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know about the Miami Grand Prix.

Where will the Miami Grand Prix take place?

After continued discussions with the local authorities, the race course will be built around the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The stadium is the home ground for the Miami Dolphins NFL side, and has hosted two Super Bowls, the Miami Tennis Open and countless music concerts.

The Miami Gardens city 16 miles north of Downtown Miami. Fans will be able to make the journey to Miami International Airport, which is a ten-minute drive from the Downtown region. For fans from London, flights are currently available direct from London Heathrow for as little as £339 return. Direct flights are also available from Paris’ Charles De Gaulle, Germany’s Frankfurt and Spain’s Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport.

On arrival in Miami, the circuit is just half an hour from the world-famous Miami Beach, where most of the city’s popular hotels can be found.

When will the race happen?

It has been confirmed Miami Grand Prix will join the Formula One calendar in 2022 on a ten-year deal. However, it’s not yet clear where the race will fit in.

Currently, Formula 1 races in North America at two points in the season: the Canadian Grand Prix is held in June, while the Mexican and United States Grands Prix take place back-to-back in late October. If these races are to remain in their regular spots, the Miami race will probably be scheduled to fit into these times. This would be to save costs in shipping the immense freight required to run a Formula 1 race.

Given the relative distance between Montreal and Miami (a three-hour flight or 24-hour drive), the race could be scheduled alongside its Canadian counterpart. This would also spread the American interest across the season, and avoid a clash with the NFL season.

F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has also stated he expects the race to take place in the “second quarter” of the year. He also stated this would ensure the Miami and Austin events are kept separate, which was “really crucial”.

But confirmation from Formula 1 and the race organisers is likely to come when the 2022 calendar is announced later in 2021.

What is the circuit like?

With 19 turns and three straights, the circuit has been designed with “spectacular racing in mind” according to the promoters. At 5.41km in length, cars are predicted to maintain an average speed of 138mph (222kph).

Seventy-five different layouts were considered with 36 simulated before the final layout was settled. After a 90-degree turn one, the first sector will include several esses-style high-speed sections. The second sector will be a long flowing section, with three small kinks. The conclusion of this section is expected to be the first major overtaking opportunity, before a slower sequence of corners. This includes a sharp chicane at turns 14 and 15. Turn 16 moves the cars onto a long, completely straight section, making turn 17 another possible overtaking point.

There’ll be three DRS zones too, one in each sector including the pit straight that passes the Hard Rock Stadium.

When will tickets go on sale?

We will have to wait for confirmation on the dates for the Miami Grand Prix. But rest assured, Motorsport Tickets will bring you the latest as soon as we have it. To make sure you’re the first to hear about Miami, sign up to our mailing list.