The Miami Grand Prix organizers are causing a stir by attempting to halt a fundraising event set to take place at Sunday's race, featuring former President Donald Trump.
According to reports from the Washington Post, race organizers have issued a cease and desist letter to Steven Witkoff, a prominent GOP fundraiser, who planned to host the event. The fundraiser, slated to be held at Witkoff's Paddock Club Rooftop Suite, offered attendees a chance to rub shoulders with Trump while enjoying the race, all for a ticket price of $250,000.
In a strongly-worded letter obtained by The Washington Post, the race organizers cited a breach of the Formula 1 Crypto.com Miami Grand Prix suite license agreement, warning that Witkoff's suite license would be revoked and his attendance prohibited if the political fundraising activities persisted.
Trump, a resident of South Florida since leaving office in 2021, has found support from Witkoff, a 67-year-old real estate developer with a longstanding history of backing the former president.
While Trump's involvement in auto racing events is not uncommon – he notably commanded attention at the 2020 Daytona 500 while serving as president – the Miami Grand Prix marks his latest venture into the world of motorsports since leaving office.
The Miami Grand Prix holds particular significance as the inaugural event of the Formula 1 season in the United States, with subsequent races scheduled for Austin and Las Vegas later in the year. The excitement surrounding the Miami race has only intensified with the dominance of Max Verstappen, who has clinched victory in four out of five races this season and is widely favored to triumph once again on Sunday.
Adding to the anticipation is the introduction of a sprint race on Saturday, a first for F1 in Miami. This sprint event, unique in its points-only format, sets the stage for an exhilarating weekend of racing, culminating in Sunday's Grand Prix showdown.
As the drama unfolds both on and off the track, the Miami Grand Prix finds itself at the center of attention, with the controversy surrounding the Trump fundraiser adding an unexpected twist to an already thrilling event.
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