https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_doDcEZ_xM

For the first time in its history, the city of Miami will hold a Formula 1 automobile race. It’s the first time F1 returns to the Sunshine State since the Sebring Grand Prix, back in 1959.

The announcement came out just before Sunday’s race at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, Italy. The race will be held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens. The track will be located in the parking lots surrounding the stadium, making it the only street circuit Grand Prix in North America. The track will stretch around 3.3 miles long, with 19 corners, three straights, and the potential for three DRS (Drag Reduction System) zones. Average top speeds will be around 200 mph, according to the Formula One Miami Grand Prix website. Such top speeds should make Miami one of the fastest street circuits on the calendar, perhaps maybe behind the Baku GP in Azerbaijan, or the Jeddah GP in Saudi Arabia.

On Sunday, the president and CEO of Formula 1 Stefano Domenicali spoke about how exciting the opportunity is to finally hold a race in Miami, and how he sees this as an opportunity for the United States to become another place for growth and expanding the sport.

“We are thrilled to announce that Formula 1 will be racing in Miami Gardens from 2022. The USA is a key growth market for us, and we are greatly encouraged by our growing reach in the US which will be further supported by this exciting second race,” Domenicali said in a press release. “We will be working closely with the Miami Gardens team from Hard Rock Stadium and the FIA to ensure the circuit delivers exciting racing but also leaves a positive and lasting contribution to the people in the local community.”

Some of the drivers also expressed their opinions about the race.

British seven-time F1 World Champion and Mercedes AMG Petronas driver Sir Lewis Hamilton was thrilled about the race, saying, “It’s amazing! America is naturally such a big place, it always felt like we needed at least two races, if not more, there. They’re such huge sporting fans out there. When you go to any of their sporting events, there’s a huge amount of passion.”

Red Bull Racing driver Max Verstappen also voiced his excitement. “It’s always interesting to go to a new place where we’ve never driven before and Miami is a great city. I’m sure if they build a good track, we can have a lot of fun out there and hopefully we’ll bring a lot of excitement so the fans can of course enjoy the race,” Verstappen told The Washington Post on Sunday. “I’m always happy to be in America, it gives you that kind of feeling that anything is possible, so I’m just excited to go there.”

The 2022 Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix is expected to take place around the 2nd quarter of the Formula 1 season, from April to June.