FORUMula1.com - F1 Forum

[Denthúl]

FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh wants Formula 1 to hold two races per season in America to enable the sport to 'conquer' the country.

The McLaren team principal was speaking at Thursday's FOTA Fan Forum held at his team's Woking base. He expressed the importance of the American market to Formula 1, and added that he feels it is worthy of two races.

"America doesn't need us, but we need to conquer it," said Whitmarsh. "In the past we didn't do enough. I think we need to go there; maybe we need two races per year.

"We need to have a proper marketing programme and create the interest. We can't just have a race there and come back, we've actually got to try harder."

Whitmarsh highlighted the east and west coasts of America as the best areas for the sport to target, but he added that he was hopeful the new race in Texas can be a success.

"We've got Texas and I hope it's going to be a very successful race, but the natural place for us is east coast/west coast," he said. "There's a great opportunity there, and we've really got to make sure of it.

"I think there should be two races, it's a big enough and important enough market that we should be over there. Long Beach, and around New York, those are the places where we can really create an interest in Formula 1."

The McLaren boss added that he expects the sport to have to push harder to promote itself in years to come.

"Formula 1 hasn't had to sell itself in the past, the fans have come to us," he added. "We've got to recognise that there's lots of competition in the entertainment business, we're just part of it.

"We've got to do a lot better. We have to go there, educate, explain, promote and market our sport."

It's about time. I've only been saying it for years.

[racechick]

FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh wants Formula 1 to hold two races per season in America to enable the sport to 'conquer' the country.

The McLaren team principal was speaking at Thursday's FOTA Fan Forum held at his team's Woking base. He expressed the importance of the American market to Formula 1, and added that he feels it is worthy of two races.

"America doesn't need us, but we need to conquer it," said Whitmarsh. "In the past we didn't do enough. I think we need to go there; maybe we need two races per year.

"We need to have a proper marketing programme and create the interest. We can't just have a race there and come back, we've actually got to try harder."

Whitmarsh highlighted the east and west coasts of America as the best areas for the sport to target, but he added that he was hopeful the new race in Texas can be a success.

"We've got Texas and I hope it's going to be a very successful race, but the natural place for us is east coast/west coast," he said. "There's a great opportunity there, and we've really got to make sure of it.

"I think there should be two races, it's a big enough and important enough market that we should be over there. Long Beach, and around New York, those are the places where we can really create an interest in Formula 1."

The McLaren boss added that he expects the sport to have to push harder to promote itself in years to come.

"Formula 1 hasn't had to sell itself in the past, the fans have come to us," he added. "We've got to recognise that there's lots of competition in the entertainment business, we're just part of it.

"We've got to do a lot better. We have to go there, educate, explain, promote and market our sport."

It's about time. I've only been saying it for years.

Yep agree! It will take a lot to get back the lost support of that tyre fiasco! How not to market your sport! And the Schumacher contrived ending!! Was that the same race or another fiasco

[l Schumacher l]

FOTA chairman Martin Whitmarsh wants Formula 1 to hold two races per season in America to enable the sport to 'conquer' the country.

The McLaren team principal was speaking at Thursday's FOTA Fan Forum held at his team's Woking base. He expressed the importance of the American market to Formula 1, and added that he feels it is worthy of two races.

"America doesn't need us, but we need to conquer it," said Whitmarsh. "In the past we didn't do enough. I think we need to go there; maybe we need two races per year.

"We need to have a proper marketing programme and create the interest. We can't just have a race there and come back, we've actually got to try harder."

Whitmarsh highlighted the east and west coasts of America as the best areas for the sport to target, but he added that he was hopeful the new race in Texas can be a success.

"We've got Texas and I hope it's going to be a very successful race, but the natural place for us is east coast/west coast," he said. "There's a great opportunity there, and we've really got to make sure of it.

"I think there should be two races, it's a big enough and important enough market that we should be over there. Long Beach, and around New York, those are the places where we can really create an interest in Formula 1."

The McLaren boss added that he expects the sport to have to push harder to promote itself in years to come.

"Formula 1 hasn't had to sell itself in the past, the fans have come to us," he added. "We've got to recognise that there's lots of competition in the entertainment business, we're just part of it.

"We've got to do a lot better. We have to go there, educate, explain, promote and market our sport."

It's about time. I've only been saying it for years.

1 would vbe enough but it would have to be very organized and alot of marketing.

for those who dont live in the u..s. let me tell you, sometimes when people ask me what sports i watch they think formula one is some kind of energy drink,..


well it is being dominated by a team representing a energy drink....

[andrew]

One race per country is enough. I don't see why the US or anywhere else needs 2 races.

The thing that concerns me the most about the US GP is can F1 compete with the likes of NASCAR and Indycar? Both of these are huge in the US so is there room for F1? I hope there is.

F1 will have to work hard to make the US forget the Indy tyre farce.

[Fred_C_Dobbs]

One race per country is enough. I don't see why the US or anywhere else needs 2 races....

So which of the two current races (each) in Spain and Italy should they cancel?

[Denthúl]

One race per country is enough. I don't see why the US or anywhere else needs 2 races....

So which of the two current races (each) in Spain and Italy should they cancel?

Erm. Which is the second Italian race? o.o

[LRW]

What makes America so special that F1 NEEDS to conquer it? Obviously its a big market, but F1 is pretty big across many continents - so what if America is too caught up in racing in ovals?

[andrew]

One race per country is enough. I don't see why the US or anywhere else needs 2 races....

So which of the two current races (each) in Spain and Italy should they cancel?

There is only 1 race in Italy these days. As for Span, I would drop Valencia.

If the F1 powers that be want a European GP, I would be in favour of the race circulating around, say 5 circuits.

[darwin dali]

What makes America so special that F1 NEEDS to conquer it? Obviously its a big market, but F1 is pretty big across many continents - so what if America is too caught up in racing in ovals?

Ferrari wants it, Mercedes wants it, Renault/Nissan wants it, McLaren probably sells some cars there as well and wants it, Red Bull/Toro Rosso definitely wants it, Lotus probably wants it as they sell some Elises here as well. Any other questions?

[Denthúl]

What makes America so special that F1 NEEDS to conquer it? Obviously its a big market, but F1 is pretty big across many continents - so what if America is too caught up in racing in ovals?

The answer is in your question. The American market is huge and F1 teams, car and engine manufacturers, even sponsors would just love to crack it.

[What's Burning?]

Americans won't support a sport that Americans aren't making headway in. Look at Cycling, look and Soccer, until you have a player/team that is competitive and visible on the world stage, the deep penetration wont come. First you need a viable team, with a committed sponsor that will be satisfied with the initial level of pre-existing F1 fans, and is then willing to wait for the masses to show up.

[FRAFPDD]

The reason America needs to be cracked is firstly the massive potential. Biggest economy along with China in the world.

Secondly, as the pinnacle of world sport and much like France its outrageous that country so steeped in passion for motorsport has next to nothing to do with it. Japan and Australia are the only Asian/oceanic countries that bother, and brazil is nowadays the only country that bothers from south america, its a very european sport and that needs to be addressed. Id love for Americans to join it. However........

Americans won't support a sport that Americans aren't making headway in.

Well then with all due respect americans should ditch their ego culture and start participating in world sports where an american isnt guaranteed of winning.

[What's Burning?]

The reason America needs to be cracked is firstly the massive potential. Biggest economy along with China in the world.

Secondly, as the pinnacle of world sport and much like France its outrageous that country so steeped in passion for motorsport has next to nothing to do with it. Japan and Australia are the only Asian/oceanic countries that bother, and brazil is nowadays the only country that bothers from south america, its a very european sport and that needs to be addressed. Id love for Americans to join it. However........

Americans won't support a sport that Americans aren't making headway in.

Well then with all due respect americans should ditch their ego culture and start participating in world sports where an american isnt guaranteed of winning.

I'm sorry, did I say guaranteed of winning?

[darwin dali]

The reason America needs to be cracked is firstly the massive potential. Biggest economy along with China in the world.

Secondly, as the pinnacle of world sport and much like France its outrageous that country so steeped in passion for motorsport has next to nothing to do with it. Japan and Australia are the only Asian/oceanic countries that bother, and brazil is nowadays the only country that bothers from south america, its a very european sport and that needs to be addressed. Id love for Americans to join it. However........

Americans won't support a sport that Americans aren't making headway in.

Well then with all due respect americans should ditch their ego culture and start participating in world sports where an american isnt guaranteed of winning.

Beg to differ: loads of races outside Europe - just check the calendar!

[Denthúl]

The reason America needs to be cracked is firstly the massive potential. Biggest economy along with China in the world.

Secondly, as the pinnacle of world sport and much like France its outrageous that country so steeped in passion for motorsport has next to nothing to do with it. Japan and Australia are the only Asian/oceanic countries that bother, and brazil is nowadays the only country that bothers from south america, its a very european sport and that needs to be addressed. Id love for Americans to join it. However.......

You do realise that both Argentina and Mexico have just had consultation with the FIA about hosting races again, don't you? And there are tons of middle-eastern countries lined up...