In this weeks AUTOSPORT (w/b 5th August 02), it was stated that viewing figures for F1 in Europe had taken a dip in recent months. This should be worrying enough for F1 given that it has become a sport so reliant upon its TV ratings. However, this is an even greater concern because it comes at a time when engine manufacturers such as Mercedes and BMW are still steaming ahead with plans to establish a rival series. A large audience is what attracts these companies to F1 and falling ratings is not a good way to convince them to stay.
This is one manifestation of F1s competitive problems discussed in previous postings. With Schumacher running away with the title in double quick time, and Williams and McLaren seemingly incapable of mounting a serious challenge, it is little wonder that viewers are switching off. Some of the races this year have been mind numbing and now it appears even the Germans don't like to see their man steamroller the opposition quite so comprehensively.
F1 should be worried. With manufacturers threatening to quit, the vacuum that would be left by their departure could damage the sport beyond repair. To ensure no more viewers leave will take some hard negotiations and decision-making in F1. Improving the level of competition will obviously be top of their agenda (or at least it should be). As I've said in other postings, F1 has for too long been living off the legends of the past.
F1 provides an under-par product to the fans and attempts to turn F1 to pay-per-view seem like a smack in the face to supporters. Who in their right mind will pay to watch a procession from 20 different angles? Most would probably prefer to save their money and try to get access to CART and NASCAR, to compliment Channel 4's coverage of the WRC.
F1 has become so reliant on manufacturers that it will be extremely painful to go back to a championship where their involvement is not required. To keep them happy the ratings need to be as high as possible and to do that F1 needs to put on a better show (as well as scrapping pay-per-view).
In many ways, interest in the sport in recent years has only come about because Schumacher has had an 'arch-rival' to bang wheels with. Now that he is bludgeoning everyone into submission, it all seems rather boring. F1 must sit up and take note of this slight decrease in their ratings or it could become something altogether more serious.
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