Formula One suffering global TV ratings decline

[The Hajj]

That is what you get when the people in charge of F1 is in it for their own gain and not in it for F1.

Bernie made a success of F1 in the direction that he took F1 way back then. All decisions was made to make F1 the pinnacle of motorsport. Decisions about TV coverage was to expand the global audience numbers and make it with in reach of the average Joe.

Now it is all about politics and corruption. It is about how much Bernie can stuff into his own pockets. ( and yes i know that Bernie has long time ago stopped doing what is best for F1 and not just now) Hence tracks that appeal to no one and in countries that does not form the base of global F1 fan base.

Flavio is correct in his assumption that people want to see gladiators dueling like it used to be in the days of old. People want excitement and daring and the modern F1 is just too sterile.

Bernie has manipulated F1 for his own financial gain, but I believe Max Mosley started the demise of F1 many years ago. His "Safety Crusade" started as a noble cause, but as Max tried to battle for his own glory, the crusade soon applied to all aspects of F1, and now the regulations are the focal points not the speed and power.

[ferrari4life]

But I am not a fan of the sport. I am a fan of Ferrari.. I am not into the technology because that is not what interests me. And most races are broadcast early morning in the USA. I would rather enjoy a cup of coffee out on the patio enjoying nature than watching us struggle to make 3rd place.
I drive a Toyota Corolla and the only place I am interested in fuel consumption is on my way to work. There is no excitement in watching a race where we are not even close to the top 3. Not to mention that the broadcast hardly even focus's on what Ferrari is doing because we suck.

That is the definition of a fair-weather fan...

Sometimes the sport is about more than watching your team win. That is what makes F1 different than Football, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, etc. It is a very very different game.

The technology in these cars this year is astonishing. If someone has a problem with the noise or the gap to Mercedes well that is childish. Go try to understand what is going on under the engine cover. It will blow your mind. And let's not forget, we will all be driving cars with these types of powerplants in them in 10 years time. That is why F1 exists, for road car development. The whole sport is an Engineering lesson.

Formula 1 to me is 2 hours I get to myself with the TV every couple Sundays. It's about the build up, the upgrade rumors, good, bad or indifferent. I get to watch the best drivers in the world drive their hearts out. Watch pit wall strategy that no other motorsport can compare to, and even if the cars are slower they are still the quickest cars in the world. (BTW, go check the pole position time at Canada versus the pole time over the past 10-20 years. Then you will see how amazing these cars are, with a 1.6L engine and 25% less downforce.

This is why you love the sport, not just to root for Ferrari, but because you are a fan of the sport itself. Now I would like to have my cake and eat it too, but you can't always get what you want. But sometimes watching a girtty drive from Fernando for 4th place is the maximum and you accept that and appreciate the effort, skill and focus the man puts in week after week. Gain pride from that. It is not always about the win. There are 20 other cars trying to win just as hard as us. Sometimes you just get outmatched.

[The Architect]

I haven't always agreed with Flavio, but on this I would agree completely. F1 has been diluted and cheapened into something I'm quite indifferent about these days. The noise, drama and technological development have all suffered recently, but this year has been too much to stomach. Bernie, the FIA and manufacturers (Mercedes principally) all have some share in this.

[FranksterGM]

That is the definition of a fair-weather fan...

Sometimes the sport is about more than watching your team win. That is what makes F1 different than Football, Soccer, Baseball, Basketball, etc. It is a very very different game.

The technology in these cars this year is astonishing. If someone has a problem with the noise or the gap to Mercedes well that is childish. Go try to understand what is going on under the engine cover. It will blow your mind. And let's not forget, we will all be driving cars with these types of powerplants in them in 10 years time. That is why F1 exists, for road car development. The whole sport is an Engineering lesson.

Formula 1 to me is 2 hours I get to myself with the TV every couple Sundays. It's about the build up, the upgrade rumors, good, bad or indifferent. I get to watch the best drivers in the world drive their hearts out. Watch pit wall strategy that no other motorsport can compare to, and even if the cars are slower they are still the quickest cars in the world. (BTW, go check the pole position time at Canada versus the pole time over the past 10-20 years. Then you will see how amazing these cars are, with a 1.6L engine and 25% less downforce.

This is why you love the sport, not just to root for Ferrari, but because you are a fan of the sport itself. Now I would like to have my cake and eat it too, but you can't always get what you want. But sometimes watching a girtty drive from Fernando for 4th place is the maximum and you accept that and appreciate the effort, skill and focus the man puts in week after week. Gain pride from that. It is not always about the win. There are 20 other cars trying to win just as hard as us. Sometimes you just get outmatched.

I hope not, I want to keep driving my Sixes and V8's
No dinky hybrids or toyleta prius'

[ALO]

open to use any engine type with fixed displacement would be a good rule

Yay finally 3 stars yippe

[NickEice]

your definition of fair weather fan..A fair weather fan is one that will support another team when the original team is down..
By your definition I would be watching F1 and supporting Merc or Red Bull which I am not.

That is not the definition of fair weather. A fair weather fan only comes out to root for their team when the sky is sunny, meaning when the team is doing well they watch and cheer for the team. But when the team is not doing well they are no where to be seen.

A person who switches teams to root for who is winning is called a "Front Runner"

[NickEice]

But I am not a fan of the sport. I am a fan of Ferrari.. I am not into the technology because that is not what interests me. And most races are broadcast early morning in the USA. I would rather enjoy a cup of coffee out on the patio enjoying nature than watching us struggle to make 3rd place.
I drive a Toyota Corolla and the only place I am interested in fuel consumption is on my way to work. There is no excitement in watching a race where we are not even close to the top 3. Not to mention that the broadcast hardly even focus's on what Ferrari is doing because we suck.

I live in the USA as well my friend.

That Toyota Corolla you bought gets good fuel economy because of the R&D from the motorsports divisions of the car companies. Paddle "Man-u-matic" gearboxes were invented by the Ferrari F1 team in the 80's. They are now in most passenger cars.

Formula is about research and development so that you can enjoy the best car for the money. It is also naturally about the racing and the best drivers in the world.

You are American so you should get this analogy. Cubs fans still go to Wrigley to watch their club despite waiting over 100 years for another World Series. The Red Sox faithful waited 90 years for their curse to break. Die-hard fans do what needs to be done in good times and bad. You are not die-hard if you'd rather watch a bird than a race. Nothing wrong with that, sometimes I wish i wasn't addicted to the sport and was sleeping at 4am when we are racing in Malaysia rather than brewing coffee.

[NickEice]

I hope not, I want to keep driving my Sixes and V8's
No dinky hybrids or toyleta prius'

I don't know man, you see the new hybrid Porsche 918? I could get used to driving that.

[Nero Horse]

I don't know man, you see the new hybrid Porsche 918? I could get used to driving that.

What Porsche lol? Surely you mean LaFerrari?

[NickEice]

What Porsche lol? Surely you mean LaFerrari?

If I was spending that cash? Absolutely the La Ferrari.

But in terms of technology the Porsche is more future road car relevant. Ferrari has the V12, Porsche a more normal V8, though still huge for tomorrow's standards. Maybe the P1 is the best. Turbo power. Both P1 and Porsche have all electric range too. Even if it is short distance it is the way of the future. Quick run to the store without using gas. And 100% torque right away.

[Nero Horse]

If I was spending that cash? Absolutely the La Ferrari.

But in terms of technology the Porsche is more future road car relevant. Ferrari has the V12, Porsche a more normal V8, though still huge for tomorrow's standards. Maybe the P1 is the best. Turbo power. Both P1 and Porsche have all electric range too. Even if it is short distance it is the way of the future. Quick run to the store without using gas. And 100% torque right away.

If you can afford to buy a million dollar hypercar then I don't think you should be worrying about how much money you have to spend on gas. LaFerrari is the perfect choice if you want a proper hypercar...naturally aspirated V12 engine, best sound, lots of power and it's a Ferrari, but that's just my personal preference. Anyway, we're now getting sidetracked from the actual theme of this thread.

[ManFromMilan]

Go with the turbo engines and hybrid technology, but make the rev-limit near the 18 000 mark and bring the fuel limit down gradually.

Have two years of engine development before engines and PU are "frozen".

Give the cars proper huge tyres to cope and use the power and let the fun commence!

[abbottcostello]

News from Ferrari website:

Maranello, 15 June – Ferrari has had Formula 1 coursing through its veins for over half a century and that’s why it has decided to make a move to turn the sport away from the wrong turn it appears to have taken.The Maranello marque has decided to do this through the means of a formal act, which is a concrete proposal, in the form of a letter from its President Luca di Montezemolo to the Formula 1 rights holder, Bernie Ecclestone and to Donald McKenzie, the president of the company that owns Formula 1. It is not an ultimatum, nor a threat, but a proposal to call together all the key players in the sport to sit down around a table and come up with new ideas that will see Formula 1 continue to set the benchmark in motorsport, on level terms with global events such as the Olympics and the football World Cup.
The President wants to see a collective brainstorming from the group to act for the good of Formula 1. Contributions from all areas are of value; teams, sponsors, promoters and media, so that the key values of Formula 1 can be reestablished. President Montezemolo would also like to see other high-end players invited, those who are currently not involved or only partially so; new media, social networks and colossi such as Google and Apple.
Formula 1 has to be based on technical innovation, research and development, but this must all be done with sustainable costs and above all, must be moved forward as part of a product that can put on a show. Because it is the show that draws in the commercial partners, the sponsors and, above all, the fans, who are the real end users of the Formula 1 product.
Finding the right mix of these ingredients will be vital for the sustainability and the future success of our much-loved sport.

• Published on: 06/15/2014

Send all your ideas to Luca, he will present them to F1, FOM, Google, Apple, etc., etc., etc.

[Greig]

He better invite me too

[ferrari4life]

I enjoyed the MS-Hakkinen battles in the late 90's. We did not have a great car but the races were exciting. Now we dont have a great car but the races are not even exciting except for maybe 1 or 2 flukes in a year. When the leading 2 racers are 30 seconds ahead whats the point of trying? Sure they did a better job than us in the engine department. But then the rest of the season is just academics now and not really racing.
There are people that think the Monaco grand prix is a great race.. too me its boring because its just a procession of cars. Last year started off well and then by some mistical reason the regulations were changed and Vettel won the rest of the races. This is not racing..
What sport in the rest of the world doesn't allow you to practise during the week to get ready for the weekend. Or tie your hand behind your back when you are clearly lacking and need to improve in one department. Its like giving a red card to a player in the first soccer game of the year and telling the team they will have to play the rest of the games during the whole tournament with 10 players.

The direction this sport has taken is just stupid and I am frustrated with it as well as Ferrari for clearly dropping the ball. I dont have much time to turn on the tv and I am not going to spend what time I have watching another disappointing race.

I live in the USA as well my friend.

That Toyota Corolla you bought gets good fuel economy because of the R&D from the motorsports divisions of the car companies. Paddle "Man-u-matic" gearboxes were invented by the Ferrari F1 team in the 80's. They are now in most passenger cars.

Formula is about research and development so that you can enjoy the best car for the money. It is also naturally about the racing and the best drivers in the world.

You are American so you should get this analogy. Cubs fans still go to Wrigley to watch their club despite waiting over 100 years for another World Series. The Red Sox faithful waited 90 years for their curse to break. Die-hard fans do what needs to be done in good times and bad. You are not die-hard if you'd rather watch a bird than a race. Nothing wrong with that, sometimes I wish i wasn't addicted to the sport and was sleeping at 4am when we are racing in Malaysia rather than brewing coffee.

[RedRebel40]

He better invite me too

haha please start a petition and let's send it to Luca :D

[ferrari4life]

That is not the definition of fair weather. A fair weather fan only comes out to root for their team when the sky is sunny, meaning when the team is doing well they watch and cheer for the team. But when the team is not doing well they are no where to be seen.

A person who switches teams to root for who is winning is called a "Front Runner"

It doesnt really matter what kind of "fan label" you want to stick on me.. Sure I am not die-hard. Sure I am not a follower of the tech. sure I do not turn the tv on to watch a race live when the most realistic chance we have is coming in 4th.

I follow Ferrari racing for the entertainment aspects of it.

What I do is come to this forum on a race weekend to see if there is a snow-balls chance in hell that we found a miracle to make it worth my while to wake up and watch the race. or read about the race in the paper the following day to see what we did or what the "others" did. Its all I have time for on the weekends anymore. Its part of LIFE happening and more important things to do than sit and watch TV on a Sunday morning.