F1 to host live event in Miami

Formula 1 chiefs have decided to launch an 'F1 Live' event in Miami in October, the purpose of which is to gather good feeling and support for the sport as it looks to resurrect its ill-fated Miami Grand Prix, which it was forced to cancel.

Liberty Media had announced that it was planning to add Miami to the race calendar for the 2019 season, making it the second USA-based race, and the intention was to add more, with Vietnam, Argentina, Denmark and the Netherlands all competing to secure a slot.

But the Miami plan went up in smoke quickly, with a number of logistical issues, including the placement of crash barriers and laying of tarmac, forcing Liberty to ditch their initial plans.

But the introduction of an F1 Live event is to showcase to the Miami locals what the benefits of hosting a race on a regular basis could be.

According to The Independent, an area in downtown Miami will be cordoned off to allow F1 cars to perform drag races and stunts, while the teams can show off their cars, while the USA Grand Prix, in Austin, will be shown on big screens.

F1 held a similar event in London in 2017 which proved successful, with 100,000 people in attendance, while Marseille also hosted something similar and Liberty hope this charm offensive can work on the US audience too.

A spokesperson said: "We are having a festival in Miami and we are finalising all of the details. We don't have the details yet but, like Marseille, there is a car run."

It is clear that Liberty are desperate to expand interest in the sport stateside, though it is unclear whether this event will be met with as much resistance from the locals as the proposed race itself.

READ MORE: Miami Grand Prix cancelled for 2019