Formula One should look to the US to connect with fans

 

(McLaren Mercedes)

Former Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya believes that the sport should look at the model of American racing series like IndyCar and NASCAR for ways to fans more interested in the sport. Commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone revealed recently that he was setting up summit meetings to find ways to make the sport more popular.

Montoya who raced in Formula One from 2001 - 2006 believes however that Formula One should open up its doors to the fans like the way IndyCar does by allowing fans into the garage to have a look around.

Montoya is not the only one who has this idea as Infiniti Red Bull Racing boss Christian Horner has also made the suggest that fans should be allowed into the garages over the course of race weekends and that they should get the opportunity to have tours of the Formula One paddock.

On Thursday's at race weekend's the pit-lane is opened and driver's mincle with the fan's however there are alway team barriers up which closes off the pit boxes and that the fans can only see into the garage. 

A number of teams have been known to have come out into the pit-lane during this time and throwing signed team hats into the crowd. 

However it would be a fantastic idea that on the Friday morning's at a race weekend that teams would open up the garages to allow fans to have a look around the garages. The organizers of the Spanish Grand Prix at the Circuit Barcelona de Catalunya opened up the circuit following the race and having attended the race it was absolutely incredible to be able to walk the circuit but also to watch the teams do their pack up in the pit-lane watching from the mian straight.

  

(© Ben Johnston 2014)