(Motorsport-Total.com) – According to Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, the Grand Prix sport in the United States is only at the beginning in terms of popularity. This thesis was shared by the former Ferrari team principal at the Autosport Business Exchange Miami.
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“If you look into the past, Formula 1 has always been represented in the USA,” said Domenicali. “But it was always very arbitrary. We were in Detroit, Indianapolis, or Austin. And when we last showed up in Austin, not 100 years ago, but eight years ago, around 60,000 people were in attendance.”
The Formula 1 World Championship has been present in the United States since its first season. Back then, the Indy 500 still counted towards the World Championship, but iconic tracks like Watkins Glen, Riverside, or Long Beach were also on the calendar. However, no long-term spectator magnet could be established. At times, in the 90s and 2000s, there was no Formula 1 race in the USA at all.
“Now we have three races with large audiences,” emphasized Domenicali. “The love for Formula 1 has developed excellently in this country.”
From the Netflix boom to the US phenomenon
The Netflix series Drive to Survive is generally considered an important building block for the newly gained popularity of the racing series in the USA. Fittingly for the weekend in Miami, Domenicali throws the Grand Prix around the Hard Rock Stadium into the mix as another important factor:
“We wanted to be in Miami. After all, we thought this place has exactly the perspective that fits everything Formula 1 wants to be: glamour, the right economic situation, the right place to lead growth in the USA.”
Formula 1 is set to race on the Miami street circuit at least until 2041. Accordingly, at the Autosport Business Exchange, it was announced that the Paddock Club will be expanded for the upcoming season.
Too much at once?
“We have three races in the USA, and there are many requests for more races. That is exactly what we have to manage with some caution.”
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Nevertheless, Domenicali emphasizes: “But this is only the beginning of our journey in the USA. We are not at the goal yet. And I have always said that sport in the USA, and we respect this very much, belongs to the local culture.”
“And changing or further developing a culture takes time. So we have to continue working with our partners and promoters because the USA gives us the chance to grow on a large scale.”
“The dimensions in the USA are incomparable worldwide. Of course, we are a global sport that wants to capture the attention of all companies and sports worldwide.”
“But this is the market, the country that represents a space for us in which we continuously invest, and we will continue this with the right partners. However, the next step will take a lot of time.”
“And yet we do not give up. We will stay here. We know that the biggest sports in the country are still miles away, but we are racers. We are not shy and go on the full attack, of course with respect for other sports, but we will become part of American fan culture faster than you think.”
Decades ago, Bernie Ecclestone tried to establish Formula 1 in the USA as a mainstream sport. But a parking lot circuit in Las Vegas or excursions into the Indianapolis “Noodle Bowl” could not convince NASCAR fans or IndyCar enthusiasts of Grand Prix racing.
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