I'm not a fan of the show myself, I couldn't make it through and stopped watching about 1/2 way through Season 3.

That being said, no one can deny its effect on getting some new interest into the sport has been huge. Even if they're just casual fans.

Do we think it was just the show?

I feel like the online presence and marketing of F1 outside of the show on Netflix has been a big change as well.

F1's marketing team as a whole have done a phenomenal job.

If it wasn't for the Netflix show I don't think I'd even know anything about F1 right now. Even my wife watched the last 20 laps of the last race because she saw the show and wanted to see who won which is saying something lol.

The show really does a good job of making the cars actually look fast... When watching it live on TV it really looks a lot slower than it actually is.

It’s the show. I’ve had people ask me about F1 a lot in recent years, and 100% has to do with the show. I don’t watch it at all, but it’s gained a ton of interest from a lot of people that have had zero interest in Motorsport previously.

I think a lot of people are into the personalities even more so than the racing itself. Especially when Toto and Horner are plastered all over the regular broadcast

While I think that the show was probably the single biggest thing recently, the marketing team definitely made other changes that good impacts.

Embracing social media, youtube etc (Things that old Bernie was super against when he ran the show). Focusing away from the super hyper elite to make it a bit more relatable to youth and regular people. (I think they realized the sport couldn't sustain itself catering primarily to old rich people)

Youtube is a big one. Them doing highlights of the FP, Quali, and the race makes a hell of a difference as I typically don't have time to watch the whole thing anyways.

The zoomers love memes, and there is good meme culture in F1.

Definitely saw a shit ton of memes on reddit over the last few years. I find it a really weird way to enjoy things, but that's how people do it now, so good for them. Even when I go to a subreddit for info on a video game, it's nothing but stupid memes LUL

"GPblog.com | Red Bull found the problem with Verstappen and Perez in Bahrain" https://www.gpblog.com/en/amp/106920...n-bahrain.html

Looks like it was a fuel pump issue that put both of the redbulls out of commission. As much as I am a fan of red bull racing, I was stoked to see Ferrari take its 1-2 finish in the first race.

Completely agree, I was upset, but I wasn't angry. I was so happy for Charles, seems like such a good guy all around.

We're all such basic bitch Ferrari fans LUL

For me, I started watching F1 in the early 2000's which is how I became a fan. I was captivated by Schumacher.

^^^^^^^

oh 100%, and Ferrari knows that too.

Every single test between the 918, P1 and LaFerrari, the Ferrari was never the best in any categories even though it should have the "highest specs."

But you know what, you ask any enthuastist or general population of which one to take home... and 99% of the audience is going to take the LaFerrari home.

We will take it home because it is NA V12 that revs passes 9000, general population will take it home becaue it is a Ferrari.

I was into F1 after playing Nigel Mansell racing on SNES constantly… then got out of it… got back in 04 or 05? When Alonso won the championship… I happened (just by coincidence, unplanned) to be in Paris in the Renault factory store on Champs D’Elysses the day he clinched the championship it was insanity hahaha

I used to be more into CART in the earlier Paul Tracy days and Greg Moore etc… WRC as well, went to a big event for that in Wales in 2007 when Colin McRae was still alive!

Bottas still outperforming Lewis in practice /TRADITIONS :lawl:

"Fears for F1 stars preparing for Saudi Arabia GP as terrorists 'launch missile attack' on oil depot" https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...oil-depot.html

FP2 comes to a screeching halt due to a ballistic missile

Pretty fucked up situation tbh lol

The drivers didn't want to race but Brawn etc told em they likely wouldnt be able to leave until after the race anyway given the schedule/arrangements etc, but ppl are saying they're being forced to race :lol

I don't know why these companies keep going to that shit hole. All it does is make them look shitty... In fact although I came back to F1 there's no way I'd watch a race in Saudi Arabia or Russia.

Same thing happened to WWE in terms of being forced to do something - their roster was held in their planes on the tarmac for almost a whole day over a contract dispute.

"HIGHLIGHTS: Enjoy the best action from FP2 at the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix | Formula 1®" https://www.formula1.com/en/latest/a...XnPWTnZSY.html

Was waiting for an update on their YouTube channel, but had to resort to their main site

FP2

Charles takes top spot, although both Ferraris kisses the wall.

Kevin having issues with the Haas

Alonso almost loses it at one of the corners, saved it with quick reflexes


EDIT: I still find it fucked up that they're still racing when there's terrorist action happening in the background

Qualifying has been intense

Ham out in Q1

Mick just had a major crash in q2 his car split in two when the crane tried picking it up

I just tuned in to see how big that crash was :okay:

Yeah was quite surprising, the red flag lasted an hour, and it was the second red flag of qualifying! (latifi crashed in Q1)

It's really nice to see Ocon, Bottas and Magnusson continuing to exceed expectations.