I think it's essential to have the US Grand Prix back on the calendar in 2012, I just hope to God it's successful. Sadly, however, I'm not sure it will be. I watch a grand prix because it's an important thing to me, it is my bag, But if I was a motorsport fan in America I don't see why I would particularly care about Formula One when I have so many more exciting series right on my doorstep. NASCAR is something quite different and, in my mind, more exciting.
It's amazing to see those cars lapping Daytona at around 200mph and the whole crowd gets very animated, creating a fantastic atmosphere. We're talking about heavy cars going at very high speed and bumping each other, you can see why it's so popular - it really has tremendous colour and energy.
Maybe the drivers aren't as talented as in F1, and in many respects it's more amateur, but that means it has more charm. To put it in perspective, for Formula One races, I've got a pass where I can go just about anywhere in the circuit but I never see any of the drivers, because..... click here to read the rest of Stirling's thoughts on www.espnf1.com.
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Putting the fans first
The subject of F1 and how fans should be treated by the sport has created a huge response, especially on twitter see @StirlingMossCom. We have also received numerous emails to the website including the comments below from Mr Wolff with the letter that Stirling sent him back in 1963 attached as an image above:
Hi - in your latest column on ESPN-F1, you said "Put it this way, I feel that it's my obligation to try and sign as many bits and pieces as possible when I go and meet the fans, that's an important thing to me. As a celebrity, you have to realise that you are in the position you are in because of people's support and that means you are public property to some extent."
Back in 1963, when I was just 11 years old, I wrote you a letter and received a very gracious reply and I just wanted to say that I've kept that letter all these years and it's one of my prized possessions. Thank you for taking the time so many years ago to care about the fans, and for continuing to do so. I hope your recovery from your recent injury is going well.
Sir Stirling, I agree with
Sir Stirling,
I agree with sentiments regarding the success/failure of F1 in the USA. However, it is a much more marketable product there than in say China or Turkey in my opinion. F1 really has to become more accessible for its long term future. NASCAR has evolved over 50 plus years from a decidedly regional sport to national, and with races in Mexico and Canada, now international status largely thanks to the vision of one man and the people he was able to surround himself with.
Mr Eccleston and the folks at F1 have a golden opportunity to bring F1 to, arguably, the largest single market in the world. Canada's race, so nearly lost last year, owes much of its success to its proximity to the American north east. There are probably as many Americans at that race as Canadians, so the interest is there. However that interest will collapse on a global scale if the sport fails to embrace the masses and become more accessible. It is not that long ago that the average race goer could gain access to an open paddock to get up close and personal with the teams and the drivers. That was always the best part of the event for me growing up in England, and what I find so disappointing about today's F1. I saw you up close as a 10 year old boy in the paddock at Oulton Park just before going out in the P99 to decimate the competition in the Gold Cup. What a drive, and a non championship race too. Other non championship races at Brands and Silverstone always drew good crowds too. But when it costs 200quid to stand on a grass bank in the rain to watch a race, it's likely I'll stay home to watch on TV, especially when a paddock pass means little because al1 the F1 machinery is hidden from view in closed up garages.
I hope Austin can help breathe a little life into F1, but the owners of the F1 franchise need to look at ways to make the sport more appealing to a larger audience if it is to survive.
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