British GP under threat again
Discussion
The Hypno-Toad said:
The second point is a valid one.
However, the whole switching cars mid race stuff will be gone by 2019 plus battery power and performance is increasing all the time. It won't be long until they can race on proper circuits.
And to use what I feel is an appropriate comparison, I'm willing to guess that even 12 years ago if you had told everyone who worked for Kodak that by 2016 hardly anyone would be buying 35mm film and everything would have gone digital, I'm sure that they would have found it hilarious.
Things change especially if companies/sports don't listen to what their customers/fans want. (Or if you're Bernie until you bleed it dry.)
Formula E is chickenfeed for a big manufacturer. In fact, I calculate that by lopping the 2 cars off their DTM effort next season (as BMW and the other manufacturers have done) BMW could cover the cost of a season.However, the whole switching cars mid race stuff will be gone by 2019 plus battery power and performance is increasing all the time. It won't be long until they can race on proper circuits.
And to use what I feel is an appropriate comparison, I'm willing to guess that even 12 years ago if you had told everyone who worked for Kodak that by 2016 hardly anyone would be buying 35mm film and everything would have gone digital, I'm sure that they would have found it hilarious.
Things change especially if companies/sports don't listen to what their customers/fans want. (Or if you're Bernie until you bleed it dry.)
So it's cheap and seen as 'Green' but mark my words, as soon as the big boys get in there, costs will mushroom, the small teams will be priced out and it'll be reduced to a series with 4 manufacturers running 4 cars a piece.
It really is terribly boring to (try to) watch and to listen to.
Is hosting the British GP really worth it? Having to charge ridiculous ticket prices just to break even. If the owners of Silverstone (possibly MSV, in the future) had any sense they would pull the plug. No sporting venue should have to pay that much to simply host an event. You could argue it should be the other way round. It's about time the 'hosting fees' were seriously looked at......
I wish some circuits would tell Bernie were to go - and give up F1. There's plenty of series out there to make money from. Why risk it all for 1 race a year. Is it just for the prestige of hosting a F1 race?
I wish some circuits would tell Bernie were to go - and give up F1. There's plenty of series out there to make money from. Why risk it all for 1 race a year. Is it just for the prestige of hosting a F1 race?
The Hypno-Toad said:
Crafty_ said:
Formula E is a complete joke. watch some races and tell me its the future of motorsport. 1 mile tracks made incredibly narrow around some park or other to desperately try and give the impression of speed. Mandatory length pit stops to change cars because they aren't capable of running whole race.
The reason the manufacturers are there is purely for PR "oh yes we do eco cars, look we even race a battery car".
The second point is a valid one. However, the whole switching cars mid race stuff will be gone by 2019 plus battery power and performance is increasing all the time. It won't be long until they can race on proper circuits.The reason the manufacturers are there is purely for PR "oh yes we do eco cars, look we even race a battery car".
And to use what I feel is an appropriate comparison, I'm willing to guess that even 12 years ago if you had told everyone who worked for Kodak that by 2016 hardly anyone would be buying 35mm film and everything would have gone digital, I'm sure that they would have found it hilarious.
Things change especially if companies/sports don't listen to what their customers/fans want. (Or if you're Bernie until you bleed it dry.)
ArnageWRC said:
Is hosting the British GP really worth it? Having to charge ridiculous ticket prices just to break even. If the owners of Silverstone (possibly MSV, in the future) had any sense they would pull the plug. No sporting venue should have to pay that much to simply host an event. You could argue it should be the other way round. It's about time the 'hosting fees' were seriously looked at......
I wish some circuits would tell Bernie were to go - and give up F1. There's plenty of series out there to make money from. Why risk it all for 1 race a year. Is it just for the prestige of hosting a F1 race?
Ridiculous ticket prices ? you could get a weekend ticket for £99, for 3 days of sessions and races. Even the week before the race they were £125.I wish some circuits would tell Bernie were to go - and give up F1. There's plenty of series out there to make money from. Why risk it all for 1 race a year. Is it just for the prestige of hosting a F1 race?
the GP has been a sell out for the last couple of years and made a profit.
KarlMac said:
Is it not just that motorsport is cyclical? Look at other sports, WRC had the McRae era, BTCC had super touring etc... Are we just seeing F1 fall out fashion, destined to live off highlight reels on ITV4?
WEC seems to be gathering momentum and coverage, as does. GT racing.
Watch a WEC race, see all those full grandstands ? no, me either. Ask average Joe for a few WEC driver names - they'll probably get Mark Webber and.. errr.. ummm...WEC seems to be gathering momentum and coverage, as does. GT racing.
The format doesn't work for TV (few people are going to sit around for 6 to 12 hours to watch a race). That makes it harder to promote the sport.
As some mentioned for Formula E, if it did ever get increased popularity it'd end up the same as F1 with regards to costs.
What it comes down to is its trendy to bash F1.
Vaud said:
I do. They are technically incredible.
As others have mentioned the engines maybe more powerful and highly technical but F1 continues to lose fans.Some may like the new cars and formula but there are many more switching off.
Take these figures for instance from Google
2008 600 Million viewers
2014 425 Million viewers
So what does F1 need to do to stop this trend?
rubystone said:
Formula E is chickenfeed for a big manufacturer. In fact, I calculate that by lopping the 2 cars off their DTM effort next season (as BMW and the other manufacturers have done) BMW could cover the cost of a season.
So it's cheap and seen as 'Green' but mark my words, as soon as the big boys get in there, costs will mushroom, the small teams will be priced out and it'll be reduced to a series with 4 manufacturers running 4 cars a piece.
It really is terribly boring to (try to) watch and to listen to.
They've just announced the New York race for Summer 2017. I imagined a few closed roads around the World Trade Center and really though this could be awesome. So it's cheap and seen as 'Green' but mark my words, as soon as the big boys get in there, costs will mushroom, the small teams will be priced out and it'll be reduced to a series with 4 manufacturers running 4 cars a piece.
It really is terribly boring to (try to) watch and to listen to.
BUT, instead they're racing around a car park in Brooklyn. This makes Battersea Park look like a perfect venue...
Jez
ELUSIVEJIM said:
As others have mentioned the engines maybe more powerful and highly technical but F1 continues to lose fans.
Some may like the new cars and formula but there are many more switching off.
Take these figures for instance from Google
2008 600 Million viewers
2014 425 Million viewers
So what does F1 need to do to stop this trend?
Move it back to freeTV (lots won't pay for sky as it's mostly rubbish)Some may like the new cars and formula but there are many more switching off.
Take these figures for instance from Google
2008 600 Million viewers
2014 425 Million viewers
So what does F1 need to do to stop this trend?
Get rid of mickey mouse circuits where you can't overtake (Monaco is awful)
Stop badmouthing your own sport
Make more of a thing of the engines and the technology
Stop cocking with the rules continuously
TerzoNeil said:
when f1 goes completely to sky in about 2 years
who will be left watching it then, cos i wont pay sky the money at all
No one, it will be a non hd highlights package on freeview. Possibly ITV4 as no other channel seems keen to pick up motorsport coverage. If it's pitched at 8pm etc, that's prime soaps time so people will have to make a concerted effort to find it. who will be left watching it then, cos i wont pay sky the money at all
markcoznottz said:
TerzoNeil said:
when f1 goes completely to sky in about 2 years who will be left watching it then, cos i wont pay sky the money at all
No one <clip>... 
All those people who currently enjoy watching it on Sky will continue to do so while they may pick up some additional viewers. Plus million of viewers in other countries or were we being parochial?
Vaud said:
Turn7 said:
Loving the email from Silverstone offering 0% finance for 6 months for F1 tix !! How rediculous can it get ?
It's a product. How is it different from 0% on a holiday, dishwasher or car?If you have to offer finance then its obvious your customer base cannot really afford the price.
Vaud said:
It's a 3 day motor race. No different from a holiday or other non essential goods.
3 day event with ONE major race I believe.Anyway,
You clearly have a different sense of values to me, so if you want to buy into Bernies circus using finance, thats entirely up to you.
Personally, I think its a joke.
Turn7 said:
3 day event with ONE major race I believe.
Anyway,
You clearly have a different sense of values to me, so if you want to buy into Bernies circus using finance, thats entirely up to you.
Personally, I think its a joke.
I go regularly, especially to Monza where I normally buy GA tickets for about £90 as the best atmosphere is with the locals in the bleachers.Anyway,
You clearly have a different sense of values to me, so if you want to buy into Bernies circus using finance, thats entirely up to you.
Personally, I think its a joke.
There are many faults with the overall show, but the British GP is one of the worst on the calendar, and I've see it from cheapish seats, expensive seats and also as a guest of team watching from the pits.
I'd be sad to lose a British GP, but I wouldn't lose that much sleep to lose Silverstone, I think it is a pretty average circuit.
Vaud said:
Turn7 said:
Loving the email from Silverstone offering 0% finance for 6 months for F1 tix !! How rediculous can it get ?
It's a product. How is it different from 0% on a holiday, dishwasher or car?The British GP is for most purposes a single day sporting event (two days at a push) and therefore.......oh wait, I have this backwards don't I?
It is a total rip off nowadays - prices are crazy for one person, let alone if you wanted to take a family: https://tickets.formula1.com/en/3226-silverstone/
I used to go every single year with a premium grandstand seat but there are limits on how much I am prepared to be shafted before lube is required.
Can you include the
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