Summarised F1 news from across the internet
If you are on Twitter, Facebook or any other social network – please press the share buttons. Make plenty of comments below.
If you re-write and tweet individual story headlines don’t forget to include #F1 & #TJ13. You may not realise how hugely important this is and has helped grow our community significantly
Formula E expects to be the only viable motorsport series left by 2040
Formula E chief Alejandro Agag believes the all-electric series could be the only viable form of motorsport left by 2040, overtaking Formula One in the process.
“I think Formula E is going to get really, really big. I believe that in 20, 30, 40 years, we will be the only motorsport out there,”
“There may be others but we will be probably the main motorsport because the world will be electric. If the world is not electric in 20 or 30 years, we are in trouble. So, even if that happens, then Formula E will be the championship of the cars.”
Formula E announced a multi-year title sponsorship partnership with Swedish-Swiss industrial technology company ABB to be renamed as the ‘ABB FIA Formula E Championship’ from this weekend’s race in Marrakesh. The deal is understood to be worth in the region of $15 million per year to Formula E and will last until at least 2025.
TJ13 comment – Despite the manufacturers looking toward Formula E as the right fit for their marketing and abandoning some traditional motorsport series, the numbers do not lie. Spectators at Formula E races are often low and TV audiences are significantly small. It is very clear that whilst Formula E is trying to attract a new, young audience, traditional motorsport fans simply ‘dont get it’ and do not enjoy the racing. The cars are slow, the circuits narrow and apart from the odd race, the action is limited on the whole. A serious problem for it to succeed as a global sport.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that Formula E is banging it’s own drum whilst the car manufacturers line up for a piece of the sport; but if history tells a lesson that all motorsport fans should know, and that’s manufacturers vacate as fast as they appear.
Mercedes F1 secures planning permission for factory extension
“Mercedes are showing a long-term commitment to Brackley and, if their proposals are right for the district, we will continue to do whatever we can to support them.” – South Northamptonshire Council
FIA asks journalists to follow the president Jean Todt
The ‘ever popular’ Frenchman started his Twitter feed quite some time ago now but has only managed to accrue a following of 11k.
Ex F1 racer Mark Webber sells new clothing range online
Ever the ‘no nonsense’ approach in a ‘down to Earth’ and honest manner, Australian Mark Webber or commonly known as Aussie Grit on Twitter is now selling T-shirts for a not so Earth like cost of £54 each.
I am not sure F-E will succeed. What is clear though, is that by 2030 F1 will have zero worth for engine R&D if they do not move largely electric as well.