Fan survey says F1 not competitive enough (Update)
Record response
Although F1 has faced calls for a revolution over recent weeks, the record number of respondents – 217,756 took part – suggest that more considered response is all that is needed.
With the Survey having been weighted to encompass all types of fans – from the hardcore followers to those with a passing interest – the representative sample has delivered some key indicators.
There was overwhelming support for believing that F1 needs to be more competitive (89 per cent), needs to attract more fans (85 per cent) and that its business interests are now too important (77 per cent).
No gimmicks wanted
However, to address the situation, fans do not want to see gimmicks introduced in a desperate means of delivering more entertainment.
There was not much support for reverse grids (18 per cent), success ballast (26 per cent) or customer cars (44 per cent).
Only a few liked the ideas of teams using the same cars and engine (16 per cent), a standard engine (16 per cent) or having fewer teams running more cars (14 per cent)
Instead, 74 per cent of fans believe the rules should be relaxed to allow greater diversity of cars and technology. They preferred to see a tire war (80 per cent) and the return of refuelling (60 per cent).
A slim majority were also in favor of a budget cap (54 per cent) and points being awarded for fastest lap (51 per cent)
Worrying trends
Compared to the results of the last major global survey, conducted by the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) in 2010, there are some indications that the sport has not moved forward.
Less than 10 per cent of fans believe F1 is healthier now than then, and key word attributes produced by fans to describe F1 now are 'Expensive, Technological and Boring', compared to 'Technological, Competitive and Exciting' five years ago.
There are also indications that F1 is not attracting a new or younger audience, with more than three-quarters of respondents having followed the sport for more than 10 years – with a clear trend for supporting it less because of the move to pay TV.
Power to the drivers
A vast majority of fans – 88 per cent – believe that F1 needs to feature the best drivers, but only 45 per cent think grand prix racing currently does that.
They also want drivers to be honest with fans (86 per cent), take a role in implementing changes to improve the sport (78 per cent) and work to bring fans closer to F1 (75 per cent).
Fans listened to
GPDA chairman Alex Wurz said the drivers would be analyzing the results imminently so they could speak to F1 chiefs.
"Formula 1 may need to ask itself some important questions, but that's why we wanted the fans to have their say," he said.
"Through the survey the fans are clear: they don't want a radical overhaul of grand prix racing that takes it away from its historic roots.
"It may sound simple, but the best drivers and teams fighting on track, in the most exciting cars is their priority. And we, the drivers, passionately share that view.
"They want competitive sport, not just a show, and they think that F1 ´s business interest has become too important, jeopardizing our sport.
"The GPDA will be looking at the results in closer detail over the next few weeks, and from there we intend to work with F1's key stakeholders to put fan feedback at the center of our sport's future."
07/01/15
| 73 percent want screaming F1 engines back. Is this a surprise to anyone? 75% of F1 fans no longer watch the races live on TV. The scream is gone and so is the thrill. |
With F1 struggling to attract new fans and keep those who already follow the sport interested, the GPDA conducted a survey to establish what it is that F1 fans are looking for.
The survey was taken by 217,756 people from 194 countries and produced some interesting results:
– 89 percent said that F1 needs to be more competitive
– 77 percent said that F1's business interests have become too important
– 74 percent said the rules should be relaxed to allow greater diversity of cars and technology
– 73 percent said the sound of the engines was important.
When compared with a study conducted by the Formula One Teams' Association (FOTA) in 2010, worrying signs that the sport is not progressing emerged.
– 10 percent of fans think that the sport is healthier now than it was in 2010
– 88 percent said F1 needs to feature the best drivers in the world, but only 45 percent think that it does. In 2010, 65 percent of people thought that the best drivers were racing in F1
– Words used to describe F1 now are: Expensive, technological, boring. In 2010 they were: Technological, competitive, exciting.
However, it was also clear that fans do not want gimmicks to be introduced to manufacture excitement.
– 18 percent said they would be in favor of reverse grids
– 26 percent said they were in favor of success ballast (a handicap system) for winning teams should be introduced to keep the field closer
Proposals that received more support included:
– 80 percent said that they wanted more than one tire maker
– 60 percent said that in-race refuelling should be reintroduced
– 54 percent said that an annual Team Budget cap must be introduced and strictly policed
Responding to the results of the survey, GPDA chairman Alex Wurz said that the results of the survey would be thoroughly examined and then taken to F1 chiefs for discussion.
"Formula 1 may need to ask itself some important questions, but that's why we wanted the fans to have their say," he said.
"Through the survey the fans are clear: they don't want a radical overhaul of grand prix racing that takes it away from its historic roots.
"It may sound simple, but the best drivers and teams fighting on track, in the most exciting cars is their priority. And we, the drivers, passionately share that view.
"They want competitive sport, not just a show, and they think that F1 ´s business interest has become too important, jeopardizing our sport.
"The GPDA will be looking at the results in closer detail over the next few weeks, and from there we intend to work with F1's key stakeholders to put fan feedback at the center of our sport's future."