F1 Fan Study: Everything Is The Same/Different

A Formula 1 study released yesterday shows that in just 5 years fans have gone from describing the sport as "Exciting" to "Boring" and that the more things change, the more things stay the same.

The 17-page report, which polled more than 200,000 fans of the sport, also revealed that fans are growing older and many fondly remember an era that didn't go over so well in its time.

The study was conducted by the Grand Prix Drivers Association and Motorsport.com, and polled more than 215,000 fans from nearly 200 countries.

Among some of the more surprising responses were the fans' favorite driver (Kimi Raikkonen), their favorite team (Ferrari) and their favorite era of F1 (2000s). It may not be surprising considering the average age of an F1 fan is 37 years old — the approximate wheelhouse for the Schumacher era. The winningest driver in F1 history finished second in a list of all-time drivers behind Ayrton Senna and ahead of Alain Prost.

While the report may serve as a warning for F1 bosses that the sport is growing dull, uncompetitive and too expensive, it's very possible that the same sentiment was prevalent 20 years ago.

More than 30 percent of respondents said the 2000-era cars were their favorite (they were panned in their time), 89 percent said the sport needs to be more competitive (despite selecting one of the most-dominant drivers of his era) and the fan's favorite team is the very expensive, very closed-door, very dominant Scuderia Ferrari.

Among the other interesting answers:

• Only slightly more than half of respondents think a budget cap would be a good idea (54 percent);
• Only 40 percent think the Drag Reduction System for passing has worked;
• Four out of five surveyed think there should be more than one tire manufacturer in F1;
• Nearly three out of four surveyed say the sound and power of F1 engines are important;
• Less than half (45 percent) say F1 has the best drivers, although 88 percent say F1 needs to feature the best drivers;
• And only 60 percent say F1 is still the pinnacle of motorsport.

The post F1 Fan Study: Everything Is The Same/Different appeared first on The Truth About Cars.

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