What's happened
Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali discusses the challenges of promoting drivers as the sport's faces, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and drama. Meanwhile, FIA's Valerio Iachizzi advocates for grassroots motorsport development, highlighting the potential for new races in Asia, including Hong Kong.
What's behind the headline?
Key Insights
- Driver Visibility: Domenicali notes that F1 drivers are often shielded by their cars, making it difficult for fans to connect with them. High-profile media projects like 'F1: The Movie' and 'Drive to Survive' are crucial in bridging this gap.
- Entertainment Focus: The sport is increasingly viewed as an entertainment brand, with drama and tension on and off the track driving viewer engagement. Domenicali suggests that this narrative approach is essential for attracting a diverse audience.
- Grassroots Development: Iachizzi emphasizes the need for a strong foundation in motorsport, advocating for investment in karting and esports to cultivate young talent. This approach aims to build a sustainable motorsport ecosystem before pursuing high-profile events like F1 races.
- Regional Opportunities: With Bangkok set to join the F1 calendar, there is renewed interest in Hong Kong's potential as a race location. However, significant investment and infrastructure development are necessary to make this a reality.
What the papers say
According to Business Insider UK, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali highlighted the challenge of making drivers the sport's faces due to their physical invisibility during races. He stated, "all press is good press," indicating that on-track drama can enhance viewer interest. Meanwhile, the South China Morning Post reported on FIA's Valerio Iachizzi advocating for grassroots motorsport development, suggesting that focusing on karting and esports is vital for building a sustainable motorsport culture. Iachizzi remarked, "It is important to engage local communities... then you will get Formula 1 one day," emphasizing the need for a solid foundation before pursuing high-profile events.
How we got here
The Formula 1 landscape is evolving, with a growing global fanbase and increasing interest in motorsport in Asia. Recent developments include the release of 'F1: The Movie' and discussions about potential new races in cities like Hong Kong and Bangkok.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of F1's global expansion?
- How does grassroots development impact motorsport?
- What new races are being considered for the F1 calendar?
More on these topics
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Stefano Domenicali is an Italian manager and the current CEO of Formula One Group, replacing Chase Carey. He is the former CEO of Italian sports car manufacturer Lamborghini from 2016 to 2020.
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Formula One is the highest class of international single-seater auto racing sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile and owned by the Formula One Group.