[Mjxhnapi]

of course we can all agree that what brawn did last year will NOT happen (again) with the new us f1 team, but sadily if it did. i would be supprised if it was even talked about on radio or the papers. W H Y! .. is (usa?) detroit so mentally challenged when showing an interest in autoracing?... if it isnt stick n ball sports. they dont care. WHY?.. when lewis hamilton became the 1st black driver to win the f1 championship the sports people in michigan NEVER!.. said anything. N O T H I N G!..

[bestformaldress23]

thank you for that random rant.

it is appreciated.

[effebrala]

of course we can all agree that what brawn did last year will NOT happen (again) with the new us f1 team, but sadily if it did. i would be supprised if it was even talked about on radio or the papers. W H Y! .. is (usa?) detroit so mentally challenged when showing an interest in autoracing?... if it isnt stick n ball sports. they dont care. WHY?.. when lewis hamilton became the 1st black driver to win the f1 championship the sports people in michigan NEVER!.. said anything. N O T H I N G!..

The heart of F1 is in Europe buddy. Just by historical consequences. It doesn't seem to gel well with the American mentality. I ain't saying Americans are stupid or anything, but they think contrastingly to Europeans and are different, categorically speaking. You have your NASCAR and Superbowl and relate to sport on a different wavelength than the Europeans.

Now, that's my perception of it. And it's a smacking generalisation, but that's all I can give. I'm not American after all.

[DOWNLOADnowADOBEphotoSHOP]

There is a small but strong core of Formula One fans in the states, with plenty of coverage if you look for it.

No it is not always in same place as stick and ball sports but I for one don't appreciate being painted with such a broad brush - for example here in the Seattle area F1 and the Premier League are followed closely by most of my circle of facebook friends so

The Boston Globe does stunning photo essays of F1 so

http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/200...on_wet_dr.html

[Keeriewof]

Sadly, much of what the OP said is true regarding press coverage and the interest (or lack therof) in the US of F1 and other forms of motorsport that is of interest in Europe. I'm sure there have been massive studies done on the subject, most likely by corporations and broadcasters; not for the interest aspect, but to see if there is a dollar to be made in the US market. You can bet that if that were the case, then it would be all over the press.

I happen to be a motorsports fan and try to follow as many series and forms as possible. It is difficult at best, or it was until the Internet made world news and sports pervasive. WRC is not broadcast or even covered in summary on any TV network. F1 is only covered on Speed TV with a few races televised on FOX, mainly in mid summer.

I happen to live in Charlotte NC, home of USF1. I have driven by their factory to see that it is actually there. However there has been NO, and I mean NO coverage of the team in the local press. Even when PW posed with Pechito and the President of Argentina, there was absolutely nothing in the local press about it.

Again, I don't know why F1 is just not gererally followed in the US. Like StephenW said, there are pockets of fans, and a few people I know do keep up with it, but for the most part, I am on my own.

[v74ClzKY]

Sadly, much of what the OP said is true regarding press coverage and the interest (or lack therof) in the US of F1 and other forms of motorsport that is of interest in Europe. I'm sure there have been massive studies done on the subject, most likely by corporations and broadcasters; not for the interest aspect, but to see if there is a dollar to be made in the US market. You can bet that if that were the case, then it would be all over the press.

I happen to be a motorsports fan and try to follow as many series and forms as possible. It is difficult at best, or it was until the Internet made world news and sports pervasive. WRC is not broadcast or even covered in summary on any TV network. F1 is only covered on Speed TV with a few races televised on FOX, mainly in mid summer.

I happen to live in Charlotte NC, home of USF1. I have driven by their factory to see that it is actually there. However there has been NO, and I mean NO coverage of the team in the local press. Even when PW posed with Pechito and the President of Argentina, there was absolutely nothing in the local press about it.

Again, I don't know why F1 is just not gererally followed in the US. Like StephenW said, there are pockets of fans, and a few people I know do keep up with it, but for the most part, I am on my own.

You pretty much summed it up in that 2nd paragraph, if all the races were shown on network tv on CBS, NBC, ABC or FOX, then it would give the exposure in the US that it needs, instead like you say most of the races are on a satellite/cable network which wont get as many viewers (apart from avid motorsport fans) unless you were with ESPN of course. For example over here in Britain, all the Grands Prix are shown on BBC 1, one of the 2 major network channels over here, which is a huge advantage for the F1 fanbase here

But thats what the US media is doing, they are catering for the majority (and you cant blame them for doing that) which is why NASCAR and the indy 500 gets top billing. F1 fans over in the states (of which there are plenty) really do get a bum deal in tersm of coverage unless you've got cable.

What i cant understand though is what you say about USF1, surely a project like that based in America (i think the first American F1 team in over 30 years) which is investing tens of millions of dollars into their operations and employing from around the Charlotte area and beyond would at least get a decent amount of coverage from its own national local press. But the fact that the team is based in the city where NASCAR'S headquarters are doesnt help.

[paydayus]

I believe it boils down to that Americans get interested when Americans are successful. They couldn't care less about a bunch of Euros racing around, there is no way to really associate with that. Supposedly the lack of good American drivers in CART kicked off all the problems in that series, as it was becoming more popular in places like Japan, Brazil and Canada, but supposedly lost market interest in the US. If there was a young American phenom tearing up the ranks, it would quickly catch on in the news, and the fans will come knocking. Everybody loves a winner.

[DOWNLOADnowADOBEphotoSHOP]

I believe it boils down to that Americans get interested when Americans are successful. They couldn't care less about a bunch of Euros racing around, there is no way to really associate with that. Supposedly the lack of good American drivers in CART kicked off all the problems in that series, as it was becoming more popular in places like Japan, Brazil and Canada, but supposedly lost market interest in the US. If there was a young American phenom tearing up the ranks, it would quickly catch on in the news, and the fans will come knocking. Everybody loves a winner.

I am embarrassed by that, for some reason American motorsports fans seem to be the worst when it comes to provincial attitudes...what embarrasses me the most is the general denial here in terms of what F1 represents...

It gets particularity bad when NASCAR writers start writing about F1, already this season on SpeedTV there have been more than a few opinion pieces from NASCAR writers on USF1 that have gotten their F1 facts completely wrong, one guy still thinks F1 was budget capped...

[lookanddiscover]

My head almost exploded trying to read the thread starter's post.

If you're a F1 and/or WRC in America, well, you're screwed! Not until just recently has there been an abundance of video torrents online that allows me to download all of the races.

SpeedTV is a joke, a complete joke. Sadly, that's all you can get around here.

[exeftWabreava]

I don't think one ought to be overly critical of F1 popularity in the US.
Its a niche sport. Always has been.

Yet - just look how popular the grand prix at Watkins Glen was. Then came Long Beach - another great event and even Detroit.

Sure there were the real lemons such as Dallas, Las Vegas and Phoenix.

Indianapolis was always a questionable idea. It confused American audiences and annoyed purists like myself because F1 requires its own identity.

The American audience is actually a very sophisticated one in terms of "entertainment dollars".

So how to begin? Develop a track in significant metro area - its required these days. Places like Watkins Glen were okay for the "petrolheads" like me - we LOVE race tracks to be out of the way and rustic which is why we love Interlagos and Silverstone so much - and naturally my favorite love: Monte Carlo.

Build it and they will come - there are enough Americans that love f1 AND understand it - to fill a track.

Besides the fact that not being in the US but going to race in Korea or some other "exotic" place is just plain ridiculous and to folks like myself, offensive.

I love the United States. It is a wonderful country with great people and INNOVATIVE RACING people and superb race tracks such as Road America.

A great history of racing. A world championship without a US GP is in my view, tainted. American DESERVES a grand prix.

Are you listening Bernie?

[77chawzence]

I would love to see F1 run in Laguna Seca, even with the dust right there at the limit of the track!!

[yasalaioqe]

Maximillian got it right.
Almost all big-time racing in the N America revolves around personalities and soap-opera drama. To have a chance at popularity, F1 would need to feature an established American driver in the mix, like Johnson, Busch, Patrick, etc. Not an unknown like S Speed.
F1 was really popular back when the likes of Mario Andretti were on the grid.
Same in Canada, F1 became really popular when both Villeneuves were drivers.
Unfortunately, the development of drivers here concentrates on stuff like track-bars and spring rubbers. LOL

[Bugamerka]

I believe it boils down to that Americans get interested when Americans are successful. They couldn't care less about a bunch of Euros racing around, there is no way to really associate with that. Supposedly the lack of good American drivers in CART kicked off all the problems in that series, as it was becoming more popular in places like Japan, Brazil and Canada, but supposedly lost market interest in the US. If there was a young American phenom tearing up the ranks, it would quickly catch on in the news, and the fans will come knocking. Everybody loves a winner.

"Supposedly" is the operative word there. Witness the popularity of Alex Zanardi and Juan Pablo Montoya when they ran in the CART series. I don't believe the public here is anywhere as parochial as has been suggested, and not just by you. The problems CART had were much more political in nature and I don't want to get into that here, it's not the proper forum. But I truly don't believe Americans have any problem embracing foreign drivers. Look how well Juan has done building a fan base in NASCAR. If ANY American series is going to exhibit that sort of thinking it would be NASCAR. But fans love him, and they have embraced Marcus Ambrose and "Mad" Max Papis as well.

Gary

[paydayus]

"Supposedly" is the operative word there. Witness the popularity of Alex Zanardi and Juan Pablo Montoya when they ran in the CART series. I don't believe the public here is anywhere as parochial as has been suggested, and not just by you. The problems CART had were much more political in nature and I don't want to get into that here, it's not the proper forum. But I truly don't believe Americans have any problem embracing foreign drivers. Look how well Juan has done building a fan base in NASCAR. If ANY American series is going to exhibit that sort of thinking it would be NASCAR. But fans love him, and they have embraced Marcus Ambrose and "Mad" Max Papis as well.

Gary

That's true, Gary... some of the foreigners were definitely popular, at least with the core CART fans. I still think that Americans need American stars to associate with and to really follow a series (a la NASCAR, which has mostly American drivers) - you see it every time the Olympics comes around, sports no one gives a crap about for 4 years suddenly become interesting, because some American athletes excel for the GOLD. Even an exotic sport like Sumo gained popularity in the US in the 90's when the 3 big Hawaiians became huge stars in Japan, and 2 of them became Grand Champions.

In a way the success-popularity-ripple effect is true for all other countries, too. For so many years, Germany struggled to finally have a good driver in F1, and look at it now, after MSchumacher. The same is happening with Spain... we may have as many as 4 Spaniards on the grid in 2010... and 51,000 spectators showed up just to see a testing session!

[Bugamerka]

That's true, Gary... some of the foreigners were definitely popular, at least with the core CART fans. I still think that Americans need American stars to associate with and to really follow a series (a la NASCAR, which has mostly American drivers) - you see it every time the Olympics comes around, sports no one gives a crap about for 4 years suddenly become interesting, because some American athletes excel for the GOLD. Even an exotic sport like Sumo gained popularity in the US in the 90's when the 3 big Hawaiians became huge stars in Japan, and 2 of them became Grand Champions.

In a way the success-popularity-ripple effect is true for all other countries, too. For so many years, Germany struggled to finally have a good driver in F1, and look at it now, after MSchumacher. The same is happening with Spain... we may have as many as 4 Spaniards on the grid in 2010... and 51,000 spectators showed up just to see a testing session!

Are the Olympic sports suddenly popular because an American is participating or because the sport is available to be seen on TV? Was sumo wrestling suddenly popular because of the American being there, or because we suddenly had coverage of the sport? My point is the COVERAGE of the sports is very parochial, but the Americans taste isn't quite so. We get painted with this broad brush, not because we feel this way but because our news and entertainment PROVIDERS are so narrow minded.

Gary

[paydayus]

Are the Olympic sports suddenly popular because an American is participating or because the sport is available to be seen on TV? Was sumo wrestling suddenly popular because of the American being there, or because we suddenly had coverage of the sport? My point is the COVERAGE of the sports is very parochial, but the Americans taste isn't quite so. We get painted with this broad brush, not because we feel this way but because our news and entertainment PROVIDERS are so narrow minded.

Gary

Coverage comes when there is success, or at least a chance of success. You won't see more obscure (Olympic or not) sports on US TV when there is no American medal/win hope, but LOTS of it if there IS!

And yes, the providers are partially to blame for this. Definitely guilty of spotlight syndrome.

[bobibnoxx]

But then again coverage providers offer more coverage of a certain sport event, because they know that more people would watch the sport if a local hero was successful. So it works both ways. People wouldn't care if there was no local hero to follow and TV stations should know it better than anyone else.

[Appeselve]

Thought I'd weigh in on this one as well. Everyone I know is familiar (on some basice level) with NASCAR. If they see a car, they know what it is. Some of them are even fans, and know names like Gordon or Earnhardt. Most have heard of, or are familiar with, the name "Formula 1". They'll tell you that it's those cool looking, rocket-nosed cars that race in exotic/foreign places. Only a few are fans that have heard of anyone besides Schumacher. Ask them about "IndyCars" and they'll more often than not get that confused with F1 - but more American (by sight, open wheel is open wheel to them). They may watch the Indy 500 simply because it's the Indy 500. Thanks to her ads, they know of Danica Patrick. Aside from that, they don't really watch.

Then there's the Olympics. People tend to watch for the spectacle of the whole thing. Americans cheering on other American who are trying to kick butt on a world stage. Americans are intrigued by that - plus the Olympics only take place every 4 years (well, 2 years if you take into account the staggered Summer/Winter thing), which makes it even more special. The average American can't tell you who's the best American athlete in track & field or figure skating is in a non-Olympic year.

All of this leads me back to USF1. No main-stream media coverage because, well, there's nothing to really cover yet. A driver no one has heard of and a car no one has seen will not make them media darlings. When there's a car, you'll see that covered in the motorsports press (in this country = SPEED). If by some MIRACLE they achieve Brawn-type results, then yes, I would expect a whole lot of coverage. Americans love underdogs, and nothing makes a better story than an American underdog team winning on a world stage.

[DOWNLOADnowADOBEphotoSHOP]

Thought I'd weigh in on this one as well. Everyone I know is familiar (on some basice level) with NASCAR. If they see a car, they know what it is. Some of them are even fans, and know names like Gordon or Earnhardt. Most have heard of, or are familiar with, the name "Formula 1". They'll tell you that it's those cool looking, rocket-nosed cars that race in exotic/foreign places. Only a few are fans that have heard of anyone besides Schumacher. Ask them about "IndyCars" and they'll more often than not get that confused with F1 - but more American (by sight, open wheel is open wheel to them). They may watch the Indy 500 simply because it's the Indy 500. Thanks to her ads, they know of Danica Patrick. Aside from that, they don't really watch.

Then there's the Olympics. People tend to watch for the spectacle of the whole thing. Americans cheering on other American who are trying to kick butt on a world stage. Americans are intrigued by that - plus the Olympics only take place every 4 years (well, 2 years if you take into account the staggered Summer/Winter thing), which makes it even more special. The average American can't tell you who's the best American athlete in track & field or figure skating is in a non-Olympic year.

All of this leads me back to USF1. No main-stream media coverage because, well, there's nothing to really cover yet. A driver no one has heard of and a car no one has seen will not make them media darlings. When there's a car, you'll see that covered in the motorsports press (in this country = SPEED). If by some MIRACLE they achieve Brawn-type results, then yes, I would expect a whole lot of coverage. Americans love underdogs, and nothing makes a better story than an American underdog team winning on a world stage.

USF1 right now is actually harming the F1 story in America...I'm pretty upset about it.

It's really disturbing to me that everything Peter said was going to happen, is actually being pulled off by Virgin Racing, including the idea of embracing new media.

I can't believe that in all that funding for USF1 there isn't 20k or so for a real design firm to executive both the logo and website in a halfway competitive way...

USF1 to me is a bad joke....so so so so embarrassing...

[Plulpangepler]

What I can never quite understand is how all the popular U.S. sports involve only two teams competing at any given time, which more often then not fails to be competitive. Also every arena is essentially the same. With a motorsports event, everyone competes at the same time on a unique 'field'. Only golfing can match that, and though I don't watch because I'm so interested in racing, I can sort of respect it more.

My real fear, however, is that we have failed to provide proper education. I believe that a large majority of Americans lack an understanding of physics, and therefore completely miss what is so interesting about the sport. Nascar, its only big because of its roots. The huge irony is that the southerners, who are a culturally a bit predisposed to not support anything outside of America, are the ones who pioneered stock car racing, and many of them actually understand physics because they grew up around machines. I'm not usually a fan of sweeping generalisations, but I think there is enough truth in my statement to be relevant. Good 'ole peer pressure and all that.