The influence of Formula One in a country where Nascar takes priority as the top of the motorsport food chain took a beating last year with the elimination of the US Grand Prix off the Formula One calendar. That's bad news since you can't exactly field a Ferrari or BMW in the Nascar series since they have to have a factory in the US.
Even though Bernie Ecclestone's belief that Formula One's expansion into the Middle East and Asia, the so-called 'developing markets,' is more profitable (Governments pay for it), he should remember that there are fans and revenue in 'established markets' like the United States.
During the 2006 American Grand Prix, an interesting fact was given from Fox's partner, SpeedTV, when one of the commentators said that the promotion of Formula One is good in the US, since out of every 10 Ferraris sold in the world, four of them are bought in the US. With the current economic crisis that's going on, that number is sure to have changed, but the effect of the top flight of motor racing remains. The same can apply with other car makes like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and so on.
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With more car manufacturers than ever fielding teams in the top flight of motor racing, the shunning of the American market by Formula One Management (FOM) has the potential to deliver a blow to those same manufacturers who pour in millions of dollars to win and put their name and reputation as a winner in one of the most prestigious motorsport series out there.
What would the solution be to bring in more Americans? The way that I see, it is not a question of marketing, but a question of cultural perceptions. Formula One is seen as being snooty and boring. Those can't be changed without a lot of protest from just about every fan since they love that. So then what can be done to have Formula One accepted in the US? The US president presenting the winning driver's trophy? I would think unlikely, but just one example to get the ball rolling.
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2 months ago
Wow - Sheb, I was just writing the same article since the last 2 days with a title, "Can we see another American on the podium," and was researching the same, but boy, am I glad that you are the one writing it! Of course! very much so! Thanks for this wonderful article, please do an analysis of why (both as to the US GP's relegation and also the drivers preference for NASCAR), and also the history please.
Wonderful article, much needed. I was also stumped when I did find your name in the "Top Writers" list last evening, but now, it seems like all is well.
Kudos to you!
from 2 months ago
Well Saraswathi, boiling it all down to basics: the reason is all about culture. Nascar has a more democratic and inclusive culture while F1 tends to be more exclusive. Americans generally prefer a "democracy of goods," and you see that in everything from the way their politicians speak to the advertising seen on television for cheap luxury goods.
F1 isn't cheap for either team or fan, but it certainly has a lot of glamour and luxury...
from 2 months ago
True, but ever since Andretti won a GP, we are yet to find a contender for the F1 crown from America despite their racing success in NASCAR. F1 is followed in most parts this side of the globe too while NASCAR is something that only a few racing enthusiasts do. What is missing in NASCAR is its international appeal. That is why, we need American, Armenian or even Jordanian presence in F1.
2 months ago
Jeez, sometimes I think one thing and write another, sorry ; the line "I was stumped when I did find" should read "when I did NOT find" and also "the same article" should read "something about the American presence"
Sorry for the gaffe!
2 months ago
Yeah mate ... See where ur coming from ... Certainly a big gap there now ... I think the US GP is just as much a nessessity as the UK GP ... Needs to be there because of the nature of these countries in terms of car sales ! Bring back the US and save Silverstone !
2 months ago
indy needs to be put back on for sure , there aint too many tracks that have a straight like indy . plus its exciting to watch as some teams cant find the right set-up for the slow-ish infield then the banzai down the straight .im not so sure that f1 makes a big difference wheather americans buy ferrari's etc coz if you got the money and you like the car you buy it .
from 2 months ago
Not just Ferrari, but the US is a pretty big market for cars in general.
To have Formula One be accepted in the US, some sort of democratization has to be made when it goes to the US. It didn't survive under the air of exclusivity, so either the perception of it has to change, or the Americans have to accept it...
2 months ago
BMW has factories in America. The Z4 was made in South Carolina, and I think one of the X-series is as well. Dunno if it has to be the specific car (are Camrys made in the US?) or not.
from 2 months ago
I believe the factory has to be for whatever model they're going to be racing as a stock car. If the five series was produced in the US, then BMW could race in Nascar with a five series...
And yes, Camrys are made in the US.
2 months ago
The highest-selling "foreign" cars (Accord and Camry) are produced in the U.S. because it's cheaper to build them here in the U.S. than it is in Japan. (Right-side drive Hondas are built on a production line in Ohio and shipped back to Japan.)
The irony is American car companies are more likely to build their cars outside the U.S., to save on costs.
Needless to say, the U.S. is the best market for almost all of the manufacturers involved in F1 (I wonder about Renault). So that why it's in THEIR best interest to have F1 in the United States. Plus some of the big-name sponsors in F1 are from the U.S.
Bernie and the F1 honchos that feel there shouldn't be a race in the U.S. are the only ones who don't "Get it", and personify the common stereotype for the F1 series of being "uppity" (snotty, champagne and caviar crowd, etc).
from 2 months ago
To answer your question about Renault, Adam, Renault has a 44.4% stake in Nissan while Nissan has a 15% non-voting stake in Renault (Thanks to Wikipedia!). This partnership has been around since 2000, but I don't think think this is very well known.
from 2 months ago
And Nissan does pretty well here in the U.S. market, though they're well behind Honda and Toyota (and possibly Mitsubishi at this point...)
2 months ago
The real reason for not having an F1 race is because the other races are basically funded by governments or by sheikhs with billions in oil revenue. Tony George just wasn't going to hand Bernie a $100 million check for them to come to HIS racetrack.
2 months ago
yeah but surely the tickets aty indy for f1 bring in massrevenue , 3 hundred thousand people at the circuit times by 3 days plus hat and shirt sales and then food and drink thats one huge wad of cash . and its just bernie being a fool the US grand prix has been part of f1 a long time and i believe it should return . another point id like to make is why on earth didnt they scrap the canadian grand prix so the surface could be completely renewed as there is nothing wrong with indy's track . some strange things goin on in f1 rite now .
2 months ago
unfortunately, after the 2005 fiasco, bernie says he may not take f1 back to the usa. if he did, i would like to see if at the infineon raceway. or a street circuit. just not in vegas, because that would be tacky and cheap (albeit veyr, very expensive)
2 months ago
There aren't many "manufacturer" motorsports in America now are there. Nascar is probably the nearest thing but again it is ran mainly by independant teams.
Formula One for sure is got to be the only one that goes Ferrari, Mercedes, BMW, Renault.
I don't believe it is a requirement for Formula One to be in America to sell Ferrari cars however, Ferrari is an amazing road car name in its own right as Lamboughini and Porsche is for example.
Americans hated the fact of Ferrari dominance, and they hated the fact that they were at the thick of the most farce races in Formula One. 2002 the Schumacher / Barrichello switch, 2005 the 6 car Bridgestone race.
I believe it is a shame that we don't have an American grandprix on the calendar, it doesn't seem right and Indianapolis was a great venue. Maybe the return of Long Beach or Las Vegas or Watkins Glen in the future...
from 2 months ago
I'm sure that as an F1 fan, you've heard the saying "race on Sunday, sell on Monday."
Manufacturers are in F1 and motor racing in general in order to promote their brand, at least in this era anyways and it is definitely a way to get people to gravitate towards their cars.
Would you rather drive a Mercedes Benz or a Saab? Nothing against either one, but I find myself to want the Mercedes Benz because of the racing heritage that they claim to have!
2 months ago
P.S. Americans are rubbish car designers..... :P! The Cheverolet brick for example.....! Theres no wonder Ferrari's are still popular :) (no offence intended)
2 months ago
I think Indy is needed. Its an excellent track and bar those couple of odd occassions where lunacy has ensued, the races have been really good. And come on! Its Formula One! At Indianapolis! Not only for that reason should F1 come back. How can Formula One claim to be a World Championship when they're not visiting America? Because just going to Canada doesnt really count despite its importance.
2 months ago
Nice article Sheiban. F1 does need a USA Grand Prix, and I'd wager all the manufacturers would agree! The thing is that F1 is run by one elderly guy, stuck in his ways, and if he wants to head to the other side of the world, then that's his prerogative.
The thing is though, that China has a TV population of 1.2 BN, which equates in such a quickly developing country, to a LOT of people wanting a car. Thus China is by far the most important market to the manufacturers, and while they are there they're not going to complain too loudly about the lack of a USA GP, which has a (comparitively) measly TV population of ~283Mill.
Throw in India with a TV population of 1.1BN, and you can see why Bernie has to concentrate on these markets first.
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