3/4 of F1 fans no longer watch F1 races live
A survey conducted by F1 drivers said that almost half of all F1 fans "no longer watch races live" on TV, according to Kevin Eason of the LONDON TIMES. The Grand Prix Drivers' Association, the union that represents F1 drivers, "carried out a study of more than 217,000 fans — most in Britain — to discover how to rescue a sport sliding from popularity and confused about its future." The results are a pointer for F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone, who has "long been unconvinced by new technologies, and particularly social media."
- The fan survey found 45% now watch grands prix online with a further 30% "recording on satellite boxes to watch later, i.e. 3/4 of F1 fans no longer watch the races live."
- The results do "show a waning belief in the sport, which used to describe itself as the pinnacle of motor racing."
- Almost 90% "want the sport to be more competitive,"
- 77% "believe that business interests play too important a role."
- Kimi Raikkonen is the "most popular driver on the grid," followed by Fernando Alonso and Britain's Jenson Button.
- Only a third of fans are "worried about fuel-saving technology, another blow for the hierarchy that has driven the green agenda."
- 73% "want their noisy engines back." LONDON TIMES