Formula One needs to engage with new fans

(Sauber F1 Team)

Sauber F1 Team Principal Monisha Keltenborn believes that Formula One needs to do more to engage with new fans. The sport has suffered a reduction in television viewers in recent years. 

However in the United Kingdom the viewership figures have increased. This is despite the fact that Formula One is partly pay per view with Sky Sports F1HD having gained the rights to show the sport in the UK and Ireland.

The Formula Strategy Group which the Sauber F1 Team are not a member of have been trying to find ways of increasing interest in the sport.

One idea to increase the popularity of the sport is to open up the team garages and the paddock to allow fans to experience what goes on behind the scenes in Formula One. However Keltenborn has revealed that whenever there is a meeting, discussions about social media take over and it means that nothing gets done in the meetings.

Another way of increasing interest in Formula One would to make attending Formula One Grand Prix more affordable. Formula One Supremo Bernie Ecclestone has stated that it is not up to him to reduce the cost of attending a Grand Prix but that responsibility rests with the individual race organisers.

For example, Paddock Eye will attend the Spanish Grand Prix in just under a month’s time and a weekend ticket for the event has worked out cheaper than attending the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

© Ben Johnston 2015