FE CEO Says Verstappen's Reign Will Threaten F1's Fanbase
Mar.18 - Formula 1 fans may begin to "disappear" in the face of Max Verstappen's ongoing and overwhelming dominance.
That is the warning of Jeff Dodds, the new CEO of the all-electric series Formula E, which was once touted as a potential threat to the popularity of F1.
That didn't materialise, given the success so far of Liberty Media's greater focus on the 'show' aspects of Formula 1 and the category's resultant surging popularity.
But the fans won't wait forever for better competition, Dodds is quoted by Spanish sports newspapers at the most recent Formula E race in Sao Paulo.
"We've had eight different champions in nine seasons," he said, referring to the all-electric series. "Most of them have been decided in the last race.
"Fans love competition, and when competition begins to disappear, the fan base begins to disappear too."
Last year, Red Bull won 23 out of the 24 grands prix, representing a 96 percent winning percentage - a new all-time record in Formula 1.
"Now the question is whether Max will be able to win all 24 races on this year's calendar, and we don't want to be that kind of sport," Dodds insisted. "He's already won the first two."
As F1's pre-season tests were taking place in February, Dodds said he would donate $250,000 to charity if Verstappen failed to win the 2024 title.
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
No more than Schumi's, Seb's, or Lewis' regular winning trends.
Quite agree Jere, as Shumy won 7wcs, Sir lulu's won 7wcs & Seb has won 4 & Max has won 3, Shumy got boring, sir Lulu really got boring & Max has only just started, go on Max get to 7 you've nothing to be ashamed of it's just certain pillocks who want sir Lulu to win an eighth wc.
It’s not the number of wins that is the problem it’s the lack of competition.
And that competition includes the blocking of a decent team mate, no way would Perez still have that seat unless MV wanted to keep a poor team mate.
Non comprendo, sinceramente, se, trascorsi molti anni dai campionati di F1 dove il manico era essenziale, ci perdiamo ad osannare piloti discreti, con nessuna qualità superlativa che avevano i piloti che hanno guidato, ad es. una Ferrari a suo tempo, poco o per nulla guidabile, dove, invece, piloti col manico hanno fatto la differenza, proprio con la con la Ferrari. Per me, Perez ha la sua Red taroccata per permettere a Verstappen di non avere rivali. Il padre di Verstappen si è mosso bene a suo tempo, permettendo al figlio di approdare alla prima guida di un auto dove anche Alonso farebbe meglio. Se,ad es., si scambiasse la guida Alonso Verstappen, Alonso andrebbe molto meglio e Verstappen molto peggio. Ho capito che i soldi offuscano la mente, ma le critiche restano. Inoltre, che senso ha non rinnovare il contratto a Sainz. Che senso ha a capo di una scuderia come la Ferrari un francese, non credo che in Italia scarseggino ingegneri. Solo interessi economici sottesi e null'altro. Altro che sport.
Sono d'accordo sul fatto che in alcune epoche la macchina può far apparire grande un pilota mediocre, anche se lui è diciamo mediocre. Posso capire che la Red Bull abbia dato a Verstappen le migliori possibilità.
Sono completamente d'accordo sul fatto che Alonso/Verstappen avrebbero ottenuto risultati diversi.
La Ferrari che lascia partire Sainz è una follia.ok?