Mercedes dominance hurting television numbers
The one-sided 2019 world championship is affecting television viewing figures.
RTL, the German free to air broadcaster, reports that one million fewer people sat down to watch the Barcelona race compared to the 2018 Spanish grand prix.
"As much as you have to pay tribute to Mercedes, they suffer as much as so many motor sport fans worldwide due to the current lack of excitement," RTL spokesman Matthias Bolhofer told Bild newspaper.
"The fact that this affects the viewers' interest is the logical consequence."
And Lewis Hamilton, the new championship leader following five consecutive 1-2s for Mercedes, says it is even more complex than that.
"Honestly, the cars are not hard enough to drive," he said. "Now you see 18 year olds come in and have no problems. That has to be looked at for 2021."
Hamilton also admitted the lack of competition is "not as much fun" from a personal perspective as when rival teams like Ferrari and Red Bull are fully competitive.
"When you don't have that, it's definitely a lot less exciting and not how F1 should be," he said.
"But it's not our fault that our guys are good at their jobs.
"Red Bull has improved their engine but it seems like their car is not as good as it usually is. And Ferrari has a lot of power but problems in other areas," Hamilton added.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner doesn't deny that Mercedes appears to be cruising to an easy 2019 title.
"It looks like it's going to be a Mercedes championship, yes," he said.
"But everything changes. The year is still long."
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The tv figures, it was said they are down viewers by 1 million, is that only Germany. And of course F1 has lost those UK free to air viewers that have not gone to pay-for tv
Well, it are viewers who can watch the RTL free air broadcast. This channel can be viewed by a lot of European viewers with cable or by satellite dish.
Here is one reality in Formula 1 for quite a while now, ...
THERE IS NO MORE TRUE RACER'S SPORTSMANSHIP !!!
:(
There is only CORPORATE GAIN, that a brand like Mercedes Benz, ONLY WANTS TO BE #1
in the most efficient/practical way.
Quite understandable, and most if not all companies are this 'capitalistic SELFish.'
I am referring to the 'racer' aspect, the sportsmanship of Formula 1 that is quite absent in today's
utilitarian world.
There was a time in Formula 1, when rival teams were 'in need' for whatever reason, and parts from other teams were shared and maybe even beat that generous F1 team.
I say thus:
I have followed the Red Bull team since Renault post Fernando '05-'06 'just disappeared.'
Red Bull has paid their dues and have even won 4 straight F1 Driver's & Constructors championships, ALL OF THEM WITH AN UNDERPERFORMING ENGINE (Renault).
Then comes the 'corporate greed & selfhisness' when Viry practically ditched them because they couldn't handle the Red Bull 'communications of concern,' when current hybrid engine rules were enacted, and they just didn't have (?) nor want to spend anymore money in fixing their 'inferior' engine, and yet Red Bull won many races after.
They (Red Bull) asked Mercedes, ... they asked Ferrari, ... both brands knew that if they did, they will inevitably create an F1 behemoth that they (corporately) have every RIGHT TO REFUSE.
Personally, I am disappointed with Ferrari, given their sportsman loyalty and F1 Racer pedigree they have always been known for.
Now, Formula 1 is STUCK ON STUPID & BORING. PERIOD
HEY MERC, ... hey Woolf, WANNA TEST YOUR L U C K Y (deserved ?) 5+1 F1 Championship belts ???
Give your engine to Red Bull, ... even Toro Rosso if you're too CONcerned.
ONLY THEN WILL YOU SEE IF YOUR F1 STUFF IS REAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATERIAL.
ASS of now, you are mere 5 maybe 6 time F1 World Champions.
Knowing all of these, I say BIG DEAL !!!
Sigh, I truly haven't watched a FOOL Formula 1 race since Schumi left Merc & Hammy joined in.
B O R I N G !!!
& it ain't gonna get any better.
Something real and proper has got to be done.
:/
"CLICK OFF" !
Hey Hammy no need to apologise for winning, after all it is racing in F1, and for sure money talks and BS walks in this game. Red bull not as competitive? maybe because Ricciado isn't there winning and pushing his team mate on. Ferrari just needed a less ambitious Driver 2 to support the team and take the checkered flag sometimes...like Kimmi did!