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The first images of the track layout for the Miami F1 race show that it will run around the city's port, and running through an area used previously by IMSA, Champ Car and Formula E.
Plans for the event, scheduled to start in October 2019, will be considered at a meeting of the city commission next Thursday.

The track passes around the American Airlines Arena, which is the home of the Miami Heat NBA team, and the pit and paddock area will be located adjacent to it.

From the start/finish, it runs down Biscayne Boulevard, before it loops around and returns on the same street. It then heads right towards a high-speed section along Port Boulevard, which crosses a bridge.

After a hairpin, it returns on NE 6th Street on the same bridge to a second hairpin, before a run along the waterfront around the arena, through a series of 90-degree turns, back to the start/finish line.

Some elements of the track resemble the original Miami street race layout, first employed by IMSA in 1983, and which also used Biscayne Boulevard and ran around the area where the arena now stands.

In 1986 local development meant that the IMSA event was later moved slightly north to a new venue at Bicentennial Park. It was also used in reverse direction for a ChampCar race in 1995, won by Jacques Villeneuve.

However, CART returned to the original location for two races held in 2002 and 2003, which had some elements in common with the IMSA track, and once again featured Biscayne Boulevard.

In 2015 racing returned when Formula E ran on a short 1.4-mile course that went around the arena, but then swung north.

The proposed F1 layout is the first to run across the water and back, although a similar idea was once discussed by Bernie Ecclestone and original Miami GP promoter Ralph Sanchez in the eighties.

It's clear that the hope is that the two long straights, both of which are followed by heavy braking areas, will contribute to some Baku-like action.

John wrote: ↑6 years ago That... that looks pretty damn out there. I don't know what to think. How long is it?

I'M IN A GLASS CASE OF EMOTION RIGHT NOW.

John wrote: ↑6 years ago That... that looks pretty damn out there. I don't know what to think. How long is it?

Antonov wrote: ↑6 years ago Detroit would be better.

kals wrote: ↑6 years ago Hmmmm... so then, safety?

https://www.google.com/maps/@25.7798308 ... 312!8i6656

This is the bridge they would go over (twice). Where would the marshals be? How would car recovery work? Does any of this matter now they have the halo?

kals wrote: ↑6 years ago Hmmmm... so then, safety?

https://www.google.com/maps/@25.7798308 ... 312!8i6656

This is the bridge they would go over (twice). Where would the marshals be? How would car recovery work? Does any of this matter now they have the halo?

Autosport.com wrote:Plans for a Formula 1 grand prix in Miami should take a crucial step forward on Thursday with a city commission vote looking like a formality.

A resolution supporting the race, sponsored by Miami mayor Francis Suarez and three of the five city commissioners, will be considered during a day of regular city business.

The five commissioners will then vote on whether to proceed, and as three of them have indicated their support by sponsoring the resolution and only three votes are required, it looks likely to be passed without drama.

Video: Miami's great history of street circuits

The resolution allows city manager Emilio Gonzalez to proceed with F1 negotiations.

He has been asked to return with a 'host city contract', ready for further analysis by the city commission, before July 1.

One complication is the proposed use of the bridge to Dodge Island, which is the main route the city's port, although there is also a tunnel.

Along with other authorities the port director will have to agree to the restricted access.

Miami commissioner Ken Russell, whose waterfront District 1 includes the proposed circuit layout, was not one of those invited to sponsor the resolution but has indicated he will support the project.

"The city of Miami has a very exciting brand that we believe is on a par with F1," he told Autosport.

"We think fans of F1 would like to see a race here.

"Hopefully there's something we can work out together. We're optimistic, and Thursday will be the first step towards discussions.

"The port makes for a very exciting track, with the bridge. You're connecting two pieces of land with a pretty exciting vista so it's a good addition to the race.

"Logistically it also makes it easier to implement with regard to a pretty congested downtown."

Miami has already hosted IMSA, CART Indycar/Champ Car (pictured) and Formula E races on street tracks in the area proposed for F1.

Liberty has suggested Miami will not follow the traditional model of a promoter - in this case billionaire Stephen Ross - paying a substantial sanctioning fee.

A proposal document for the event notes that "following Miami guidance, an atypical commercial model is being developed to enable the race to take place".

Some sources have suggested that could involve some form of risk or revenue sharing joint venture between F1 and the promoter, or even be a 'free deal' similar to Monaco's long-standing arrangement.

F1 boss Chase Carey declined to give details but confirmed Miami's deal was likely to be different.

"We knew going into the US market you're going to have unique aspects to it," said Carey.

"That would be true with other agreements we have in other places. Everyone assumes that these deals are a one-note song, but realistically there are a lot of moving parts."

The proposed F1 track goes around NBA team Miami Heat's American Airlines Arena home.

The originally suggested June 2019 race date, paired with the Canadian GP, would have avoided the NBA season but an October slot has now been mooted.

In 2017 Miami Heat had eight home games in October.