F1 still ‘biggest show in town’, says Stewart

Jackie Stewart

Jackie Stewart believes that Formula One is still the biggest sport in the world despite the many issues it has endured in 2014.

The 2014 season began with a tide of negative press over the quieter sound brought upon by new engine regulations, with only Mercedes getting fully to grips with the new rules.

The German manufacturer romped to the constructors' championship with world champion Lewis Hamilton and team-mate Nico Rosberg winning all but three races.

Though the pair's title battle did thrill spectators, typically big names such as McLaren and Ferrari were unable to impress, the former struggling despite using Mercedes power.

Chief executive of Formula One Group Bernie Ecclestone also attracted negative attention as he stood trial on bribery charges in Germany.
That case has now been closed but the demise of Marussia and financial difficulties of fellow backmarkers Caterham have led to increased condemnation of the structure of F1.

However, F1 legend Stewart, who won three world titles in his career, still believes it serves as the top sporting spectacle on the planet.

"It's still the biggest show in town and next year there will probably be 20 grands prix but only one grand prix in each country," Stewart told Perform.

"And if you're the chairman of the board, or the head of marketing and sales globally, if you're the CEO, and you get and invitation to come to a grand prix, you take it. Because there is only one in your country.

"[There is] a whole lot of tennis events, a whole lot of football, a whole lot of rugby, a whole lot of tennis, and golf, and everything else. But there is only one grand prix in Formula One – so therefore it's a big ticket.

"I go to all the big golf events and tennis events, lots of other sporting events, but nothing comes close to Formula One. It's a great example to other industries and other businesses. It's a very healthy sport.

"If you go to a major sports car race and there is a minimal number of people there in comparison to Formula One attendance. So it's global and NASCAR and stock car racing in America are very popular – but almost entirely domestic, America. We are a global industry.

"As long as we have good, safe racing, exciting racing, colorful racing, multi-nationalities involved, I still see it being a huge sport." Sportal