The long-mooted Formula 1 race in Miami won’t be happening any time soon, according to Liberty Media boss Chase Carey.
A location Liberty has been trying to bring to the F1 calendar for the better part of two years, Carey has conceded that local opposition is proving stiffer than expected.
“We were aware that it takes time in the USA,” Carey told motorsport-total.com.
“On the other hand, it must also be said that it is taking longer than we hoped. It’s frustrating because we’ve invested a lot of time, but there seems to be increasing complexity.”
“I think we have to come to terms with the reality that it is a time frame of more than five years. The goal now is a race over the next five to ten years from today. Within this framework, 12 months [delay] is no big deal. But that doesn’t mean it’s [not] increasingly frustrating.”
The issue for Liberty and their partner, the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, is that there is a movement, led by Miami-Dade County Commissioner Barbara Jordan, that wholly objects to the hosting of the race in what is a mixed commercial and residential area.
“There seem to be some changes in the political process that we need to get a grip on. …that we need to get in balance,” Carey admitted.
On Wednesday, F1 and the Dolphins won a minor victory when the vote on a local ordinance to force them to seek public approval to use the team’s Hard Rock Stadium ended in a 6-6 deadlock, but Jordan announced plans to file a lawsuit against them soon after.
As a result, development of the race will continue, but only at a trickle.
By the time Miami is ready, Liberty — who has been vocal since purchasing the sport in 2017 of its intent to have a second American race — could have its sights set elsewhere, Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Roger Penske rumoured to be interested in the track making its F1 return.
“I know the Penskes and had contact with them before they bought Indianapolis,” Carey admitted. “But I have no comment on any conversations.”
“We’re aware of their interest. Of course, it’s an iconic track in the world of motorsports. It’s part of the ‘Triple Crown’ with Monaco and Le Mans. That says everything about the importance of this track in motorsport.”