Formula one is arguably the most popular sport in the world, with viewing figures for the season finale in Abu Dhabi last year bringing in around 108 million television viewers – which was an increase of 29% over the previous season.
The sport doesn’t just command enormous viewing figures – it’s also viewed with a degree of prestige. It’s about as glamorous as sport can get, with all kinds of famous faces seeking to find their way to trackside, especially during flagship events like the Monaco Grand Prix.
So, exactly what is it that causes this particular sport to be so beloved? Let’s examine a few critical components.
The Technology
The motoring industry pours billions of dollars into research and development for F1 cars. This is in pursuit, not just of success on the track, but in the showroom, too. Many of the innovations that prove successful in the intensely competitive environment of an F1 season eventually find their way into consumer-level road vehicles. These innovations include ABS, regenerative braking, and computer-powered engine management.
Top Motorsport in the World
Of course, all of this applies to motorsport more broadly. But it’s Formula One that sits on the very top of the pile. It can trace its roots back more than a century, to the first ever motorised races. Officially, the dawn of the sport can be pinpointed to 1946, when, in the wake of the end of the Second World War, the FIA was created.
The sport is one of very few with a truly global appeal. It’s especially popular in South America, with many of the best drivers in history coming from this part of the world.
The Locations
Part of the appeal of F1 is its touring nature. Every few weeks, the circus will arrive in a new city, allowing drivers to compete in entirely novel surroundings. Particular highlights include historical circuits like Monza and Monaco, which have witnessed some of the most iconic races ever. More recently, the sport has diversified into floodlit night races, like the Singapore GP, and into races that take place at dusk, like Abu Dhabi. Fans can travel to these locations in style with the help of empty leg flights.
The Audience
F1 has, as we’ve mentioned, a history of attracting celebrity faces to the trackside. Some of the bigger names will even be allowed into the paddock to mingle prior to the race itself. World leaders, singers, actors, and comedians can all be found trying to bask in the reflected glory of the sport. And it works in the other direction, too: the fact that the sport enjoys the endorsement of big names is great for its prestige. Other brands pay big money to secure a famous face – but the FIA doesn’t have to!
