Ferrari: Maurizio Arrivabene, “We need to bring Formula 1 to the people”

Maurice Arrivabene – “I read the words of my friend Niki: he is the first in the class, I am the one sitting in the fourth row…”. Maurice Arrivabene resumes on www.ferrari.com the theme of the words of Niki Lauda, ​​who had declared himself ready for one F1 revolutionized in technical content, within a couple of years, in favor of entertainment. “I share with Niki the need to make it spectacular formula 1: I think that the risk he mentioned of losing fans is, unfortunately, already a reality. In 2017, I too would like to see cars that win over fans, are closer to people, aesthetically more beautiful, perhaps with a sound capable of making a heavy metal band's hair stand on end: like in the days when Niki was a pilot and I am a passionate fan with a lawn ticket... However, I believe that for all this a real revolution is needed and not a simple evolution: significant and radical changes are needed. I am referring to more power, more speed, not necessarily by using larger tanks, but certainly by reducing costs on those components that, for the public, are of little interest".

“Being closer to the people also means bringing F.1 among the people, perhaps holding the FIA ​​press conference and the presentation of the drivers and team on the Thursday before the GPs in public environments and not on the circuits. The cities that host the races could thus become the setting for the presentation of drivers and cars, creating an event. I have long maintained that the real competitors of F.1, understood as entertainment, today are the various forms of entertainment and, last but not least, the contents offered by the internet, including themed video games. It's up to us to offer a better sport by downloading the new F.1 format as soon as possible: how intent are we to do this?

I know it is neither practice nor custom, but a global survey online and through TV viewers would really give us an idea of ​​what people want: after all, even in the sports entertainment sector, the demand trends should be guide the offer”.