The first edition of the Miami Grand Prix is reportedly in danger of being cancelled after residents submitted a lawsuit against the race.
Some Miami Gardens homeowners have long opposed Formula 1 setting up shop in Florida and are making one final attempt to get the new addition scrapped. The inaugural race around the Hard Rock Stadium is slated to take place on May 8, leaving barely three weeks for a final decision on the matter.
The Miami Herald reported judge Alan Fine was "frustrated" at having to hear the case on such a tight schedule. “Numerous courts before me have resisted the temptation to jump into something that hasn’t been issued yet,” said Fine. “Shouldn’t I wait to see if the city manager issues the special events permit?”
The report mentioned that lawmakers in Miami may not make a decision on the permissions until the days leading up to May 8. “We’re in this limbo state prior to the issuance of a special events permit,” he added. “It’s a very uncomfortable place for a court to be.”
The Miami Grand Prix is scheduled to become the second American pitstop on the F1 calendar, with Las Vegas set to add to that number next year. The United States Grand Prix has been held in Austin, Texas, since it was revived in 2012, though previous host cities include Indianapolis (2000-07) and Phoenix (1989-91).
Mirror Sport has reached out to motorsport's governing body, the Federation Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA), for comment.
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The lawsuit filed on behalf of Miami Gardens residents concluded the noise produced by the Grand Prix would “cause severe disruption and physical harm to Miami Gardens residents.” It also contains an estimate from an engineering firm, predicting the race would produce "up to 97 decibels at homes within a 2.5-mile radius," which would be comparable to a chainsaw.
The law states noise levels should not “unreasonably disturb the peace and comfort of adjacent residences.” However, there are no specific measurements mentioned therein, meaning F1 could still be successful in its application.
Formula 1 powers are already hoping to fill one gap in their schedule after cancelling the Russian Grand Prix in response to President Vladimir Putin 's invasion of Ukraine. Miami Grand Prix organisers had planned to open a temporary 'beach club' comprising "pools and luxury cabanas," though they're now at risk of being cancelled.
