On the whole, I think most attempts to grow the sport and introduce it to new audiences is largely a good thing.
However. I am getting a bit sick of the kind of 'special treatment' (if you want to call it that) that these American races are getting, in everything being so hyped up. I've got a few issues with it - namely that it means they stick out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of the calendar, despite them not being any more significant in sporting terms than any other race.
And maybe this is the understated Brit in me coming out, but I just find the whole build up to these events so completely cringeworthy and insufferable. It's not charming or endearing, it's embarrassing. It's just trying too hard to fit in and seem 'cool' to the American audience. You can already guarantee the build up to Las Vegas is going to be even more insufferably awful than ever, and as a fan of F1 of close to 30 years, I just don't want anything to do with it. In a way, I'm glad that this event is on at a strange time here, because it means I'll avoid most of the utter cheese-fest that it is likely to be.
Of course, I know that some people might enjoy it. But I just wish Formula One could just be Formula One, rather than trying so hard to be something it isn't. Surely part of the appeal of F1 for American audiences is that it's 'European' and very different from what you have over there. So why is it trying so hard to copy the NFL or whatever?
And then, the final issue (which, in fairness, isn't purely to do with the American races) is just the excessive hype at a time when F1's on track product leaves a lot to be desired. It's just going to look even more ridiculous having this crazy build up to a race that very likely won't deliver in terms of excitement or unpredictability. Really and truly, the on track product - the racing - should be the main show, not anything else.
I don't know whether I've really explained my feelings as clear as possible, but yeah...maybe I'm just feeling particularly grumpy (it has been a grey, dark drizzly day in November, after all). But personally, I can't wait till this event is over. And I'd be lying if there wasn't a part of me that hopes it flops, so that (hopefully) F1 learns lessons and tones down the over-the-top American-ness of these races in future.
It's an interesting one. Do you sort say 'This is F1 - take it or leave it' and hope the product and it's culture just survives, or do you adapt F1 so it fits in with it's environment wherever it goes? To me, it's the latter, F1 has to be adaptable. Silverstone is a case in point where F1 comes across like Silverstone is the Mecca of motorsport, the true birthplace etc etc, that to me is how Silverstone has always been sold, like 'Ah, Silverstone, we're back home' but of course Grand Prix racing's genesis was not the UK, however, it works, it fits in, and it makes Silverstone a big deal, and likewise I think for Monza too. Monaco has its own style and personality too.
There's no doubt there's been some pandering, and I'd say that the Middle East pandering has been even more cringey than America, at least America has a rich motor racing heritage in it's own right.
I guess, from my perspective, F1 looked in a little bit of trouble 5-10 years ago, ageing fanbase, races behind paywalls, falling ratings, I genuinely did fear that F1 was a dying sport. But here we are now, with a thriving sport, and sure, not every decision is perfect, not every track is appropriate, but it's meant survival of the greater product at the cost of some tradition.
I for one, as an Australia, grew up with almost all races in Europe, baring Australia, Canada, Brazil, and Japan. This meant that most of the season, races were on 10pm in my timezone, and I loved that, such a great time to watch F1 - spent all day excited and looking forward to it, then everyone would go to bed, and I would stay up and watch F1 and still be in bed by midnight. We'd go to school the next morning, not overly tired, and discuss the race - good times. I loved that tradition of the locked in 2pm start, both Qualy and race. We don't have that any more, and I'd argue it's affected Australia East coast more than any other location around the globe as most races now are overnight here. But it's meant the survival of the sport I love, so I accept it.
