4 replies to this topic

[le chat noir]

A question for FOM, the FIA and the teams. But in lieu of that, you guys.

Bernie says... Think before you kill the sport.

On no, my bad, he didn't say that at all.

[pdac]

Sorry, very poor response lists to these questions. Maybe think about how others might feel rather than using a blinkered approach based on "it's either what I think or not":

 

What is the most popular motorsport series/type globally?

That's a factual question - you can look it up on Google

What made F1 popular?

That's again factual, but it can been interpretted as "what's your opinion". If so, there would be many more opinions than just the two you are offering.

WTAF would you meddle with the simple structure of the rules to spice up the show, when the show is the mastering of simple rules, taking inspiration from series that are massively inferior to the one you run?

Very much a rhetorical question. You clearly have an agenda here and are not really interested in any results other than to seek confirmation of your own views.

[etoipi]

My take on why the popularity of F1 is falling and what is being done

 

The popularity group

 

Autosport article mentions popularity group being setup by Bernie.  Others have already mentioned how successful these groups have been in the past – so no further comment on that.

 

Article says asks the teams for ideas – the same teams who can’t agree on cost cutting measures, couldn’t agree to waiting till next year for the FRIC ban and didn’t object to the double point finale.  I am not convinced that the teams can see beyond their own interest to come up with useful ideas

 

The media was also mentioned – Not sure about this

 

As for Flavio’s involvement, he knows F1, his other businesses may give him some idea of what the next generation are interested in and I think he knows something about popularity.  Yes he has that big negative from 2008 hanging over his head but he will probably(?) be a useful contributor.

 

(Analogy time) The whole idea of asking people directly involved in the running and organisation of the sport to give ideas on improving its popularity is like asking the board and employees of Kodak to give ideas for improving the popularity of its film cameras or asking the band on the Titanic to play a happier/more lively song.

 

What about asking the people who watch the sport or those who used to watch the sport to give some ideas.  Get some meaningful information about viewer desire before trying to implement some gimmicks.

 

 

Why is the popularity down

 

I believe that F1 has shot itself in the foot this year by insisting on homologating the power train (I know I am not the first to say this).  Mercedes did by far the best job initially and the running order has been relatively predictable at each race.  We all expect Rosberg and Hamilton to be fighting it out at each race (unless one of their cars break) with a bit of variation behind.  How is such predictability going to attract and hold viewers (as opposed to die-hard fans)

 

For me, homologation of the power train should have been put of for a couple of years so that all manufacturers could iron out the bugs given such a massive change in the engine/power train department.  Then each weekend we would have had the anticipation of Renault and Ferrari improving and the possibility of battles for the lead across manufacturers and with the best drivers in the world. 

 

I agree with Christian Horner that there is too much negativity.  As an example, much has been made of the sound this year.  Yes I miss the noise but I don’t miss the ringing in my ears that I had for 2 days after Melbourne 2013.  My general feeling is that this year, the racing (apart from the lead) has been good.

 

The new power train does make F1 more relevant in today’s world which is something I always liked about it.

 

Why is F1 not attracting the next generation of viewers?

The next generation see cars purely as transport so racing doesn’t mean much.  There are many other things that are interesting for this generation   I took my early 20’s son to the Melbourne GP for the last 2 years.  He slept through parts of the action including F1 qualifying and was more interested in off track activities.

 

F1 has no social media presence.  Without it, you have no chance of getting into the next generation market.

 

Some more comments from me

I am sick and tired of Bernie suggesting that races will be removed from the calendar when they get towards the contract renewal date.  Eg Monza now, Melbourne a while ago and others.  If Monza went, so might I and I have been a fan for more than 30 years

 

F1 is pricing itself out of a market and I think that’s also been discussed elsewhere

 

My last comment is about F1 Live Timing (also mentioned in other threads).  The functionality taken away from the PC version this year and not offered in any other way on the PC version has been extremely annoying.  The thought of trying to hold and also read information from the small screen of a mobile phone or a tablet while watching the race on a 50”/127cm screen borders on ridiculous. 

 

My rant is over.  Whether you agree or disagree, argue accordingly

[HP]

The reason why people watch F1 are many, but Ecclestones refusal to embrace social media is stunning.

 

Simple about popularity.

 

What made F1 popular? TV.

 

What makes things/activities popular today?

 

Social networks.

 

That said I avoid social networks as much as I can, because it eats away too much time from me. But if I want to promote something, then I'd use it.

[redreni]

Leading question, your honour!

 

I'm not voting in a poll where I can only agree with everything you say or say something stupid, and all other options are excluded. You should write public consultation documents for the UK Government...

 

You've got a point, though...