Increasing frustration is being experienced by those who attend Formula One events. Basic issues need to be addressed.
When you look at other racing series, such as NASCAR, Indy Car, or the World Endurance Championship, they don’t seem to have trouble running their race weekends, no matter how many fans show up for the event. However, a lot has been troubling the Formula 1 world lately, even if the sport is the highest watched sporting event next to football.
For 2022, there has been some weakening on the most important topic of Formula One: the fans.
The popularity of Formula One has made it into a money grabber–and with more money comes more courses, more interest, and of course, more fan interest. But ticket prices are rising, and disorganization is happening at several of the circuits.
According to the British F1 site, WTF1, two circuits are the most difficult to attend. Monza in Italy is one. Three hundred fifty thousand plus fans came to this year’s race, and many complained about getting to the track, long refreshment wait lines, and high ticket prices. Complaints were also lodged about the Circuit de Catalunya, where the Spanish Grand Prix is run.
Another matter is rowdy fans. In The Netherlands. This country had limited interest in the sport until Max Verstappen came along and became one of the best drivers in the world. The result? More fans attended events with a clad of Orange regularly seen at Grand Prix worldwide. With some circuits selling alcohol, it began to get messy at events like the Austrian Grand Prix, where flares were thrown onto the track (one of them at Lewis Hamilton’s car), and the smoke interrupted drivers’ vision on some sectors of the circuit. Then, some Red Bull fans were asked to leave the Italian Grand Prix.
Indeed, all these matters can be fixed.
Topping the list are lowering ticket prices, easier access, and refreshments available at a reasonable price with short wait lines. And fixed they should be because fans have plenty of sporting options.
Fans deserve an entertaining race day experience without frustration and concern. Otherwise, it’s reasonable to conclude they won’t return soon, if at all.
