Is F1 over it's "yellow fever?"
Discussion
Having spent the last few years cutting back on European races in favour of the far east, I find it interesting that next years calendar has 2 new venues in Europe (counting Sochi, Russia) and 2 in North America. India is taken off the calendar. No new races in
Is F1 over it's infatuation with Asia? Are the races held in Asia not proving as profitable and well received as anticipated? Or are European and American crowd getting bored of watching cars circulate around fields in the far east with no motorsport pedigree or real fan base? Or is it just a quirk of next season?
Is F1 over it's infatuation with Asia? Are the races held in Asia not proving as profitable and well received as anticipated? Or are European and American crowd getting bored of watching cars circulate around fields in the far east with no motorsport pedigree or real fan base? Or is it just a quirk of next season?
AJS- said:
Having spent the last few years cutting back on European races in favour of the far east, I find it interesting that next years calendar has 2 new venues in Europe (counting Sochi, Russia) and 2 in North America. India is taken off the calendar. No new races in
Is F1 over it's infatuation with Asia? Are the races held in Asia not proving as profitable and well received as anticipated? Or are European and American crowd getting bored of watching cars circulate around fields in the far east with no motorsport pedigree or real fan base? Or is it just a quirk of next season?
Minor racism: check.Is F1 over it's infatuation with Asia? Are the races held in Asia not proving as profitable and well received as anticipated? Or are European and American crowd getting bored of watching cars circulate around fields in the far east with no motorsport pedigree or real fan base? Or is it just a quirk of next season?
Topic of interest: fail.
Nothing to do with racism of any sort.
Plenty to do with misguided management of a heritage and blind adherence to perceived wealth - which turned out to be wrong.
As many of us could have told (and did on such places as PH).
You ignore and dismiss your core market at your peril. Any business that tries to do this has always come unstuck.
Plenty to do with misguided management of a heritage and blind adherence to perceived wealth - which turned out to be wrong.
As many of us could have told (and did on such places as PH).
You ignore and dismiss your core market at your peril. Any business that tries to do this has always come unstuck.
There's no shortage of well off people in Korea, Iain. I'd put it down to it not being a country with any real F1 fan base and now that they've had F1 for a couple of years the novelty is wearing off.
Plus it's a dull as ditch water Tilke track designed for snazzy TV shots and a nice media centre.
Plus it's a dull as ditch water Tilke track designed for snazzy TV shots and a nice media centre.
It sucks for India as the fans there seemed quite passionate.
It's profitable for F1 as they make sure they get paid no matter what, even if no people turn up they still want their basic fee, the only thing they're missing out on is a % on the vendors.
The one thing I don't like about the far east races is that I have to wake up so damn early
(For some reason, I loathe watching recording races...I must watch it live!)
It's profitable for F1 as they make sure they get paid no matter what, even if no people turn up they still want their basic fee, the only thing they're missing out on is a % on the vendors.
The one thing I don't like about the far east races is that I have to wake up so damn early
(For some reason, I loathe watching recording races...I must watch it live!)AJS- said:
There's no shortage of well off people in Korea, Iain. I'd put it down to it not being a country with any real F1 fan base and now that they've had F1 for a couple of years the novelty is wearing off.
Plus it's a dull as ditch water Tilke track designed for snazzy TV shots and a nice media centre.
I was thinking more about the Indian GP regarding it being unreasonably priced for the majority. Other places just have very poor turn-outs due to genuine lack of interest I'm sure. Or, for Korea, being in the middle of bloody nowhere!Plus it's a dull as ditch water Tilke track designed for snazzy TV shots and a nice media centre.
Eric - I agree that F1 should be looking after it's loyal fans better but it'll always go where the money is sadly.
IainT said:
that's probably more to do with pricing the locals who would love to attend out. Us europeans seem to enjoy being bent over to attend F1 races.
This!I'm in more of a position to comment on the situation in India, and the fans there are very passionate about F1 in particular and the place would be filled in no time if it weren't for the high price (for the younger demographic that is most interested in the sport).
Also, I'm averse of PC/playing the racism card too, but I don't get this 'oh I have dog that is asian/I have asian friends/my spouse is asian, which gives me a free pass to say things, in other contexts would be considered racist/offensive'!
Does F1 have a future in these "new" countries?
The problem to me seems to be that the interest in F1 is not supported underneath by grass roots motor sport. To me F1 is the top of a pyramid. Many of these countries don't have that pyramid (India being the exception, perhaps).
The need to "import" marshals from traditional motor sport countries and the lack of use of the tracks for racing outside of the F1 weekend indicates a lot.
The problem to me seems to be that the interest in F1 is not supported underneath by grass roots motor sport. To me F1 is the top of a pyramid. Many of these countries don't have that pyramid (India being the exception, perhaps).
The need to "import" marshals from traditional motor sport countries and the lack of use of the tracks for racing outside of the F1 weekend indicates a lot.
Dr Z said:
I'm in more of a position to comment on the situation in India, and the fans there are very passionate about F1 in particular and the place would be filled in no time if it weren't for the high price (for the younger demographic that is most interested in the sport).
Out of curiosity, how much was a ticket for the Indian GP compared to a typical wage? AJS- said:
Oh settle down.
I live in Asia and my wife and daughter are "yellow."
It's a well known byword for infatuation with all things Asian. And if you're not interested, feel free not to comment.
It's also a well known insult to those who have a predilection oriental women.I live in Asia and my wife and daughter are "yellow."
It's a well known byword for infatuation with all things Asian. And if you're not interested, feel free not to comment.
Anyway, Bernie/CVC goes where the money is and usually government assisted. Hard to think now but China was then regarded as a rising economy.
The 'build it and they will come' model certainly has its limits when you're trying to break into a new market.
FunkyNige said:
Dr Z said:
I'm in more of a position to comment on the situation in India, and the fans there are very passionate about F1 in particular and the place would be filled in no time if it weren't for the high price (for the younger demographic that is most interested in the sport).
Out of curiosity, how much was a ticket for the Indian GP compared to a typical wage? Also, I think the majority of fans are in the South (after all both the Indians who've competed in F1 are from the Southern most state) and its a bit of a trek up North to get to the race.
In contrast to some other countries, winners are well loved. No moans about dominant victories (infact it is welcomed/celebrated like in other sports), and there is less of the snobbery about a certain drinks company, although there are plenty of passion/fans for the traditional outfits. Vettel has a big fan base too, so you might have noticed, no unpopular politicians in the podium.
The question is whether such dependence on state support is a sustainable business model.
Governments are fickle. If there's little or nothing in the way of votes or similar selfish reason, then they won't bother. As power shifts then the newcomers, who do not receive the same benefits, can pull the plug at any time.
The worry is that F1 isn't the pinnacle of motor sport by right. It is something that needs to be earned. It is a constant requirement. Come to that, if it remains the pinnacle but motor sport in general loses its appeal, we are in trouble.
Governments are fickle. If there's little or nothing in the way of votes or similar selfish reason, then they won't bother. As power shifts then the newcomers, who do not receive the same benefits, can pull the plug at any time.
The worry is that F1 isn't the pinnacle of motor sport by right. It is something that needs to be earned. It is a constant requirement. Come to that, if it remains the pinnacle but motor sport in general loses its appeal, we are in trouble.
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