Why is there such little interest in Formula One in America?

Answer 1

Because NASCAR is way better than F1 racing

Answer 2

I really think it comes right down to advertising.
I don't hear of any advertising for any F1-I don't even remember any ads for when CBS covers the race (which they do a terrbile job).
Look at Nascar. There is Nascar toys, clothes, school books, figures, planters, juice boxes, everything-even training underwear for toddlers!
If there was the amount of advertising for all motor sports then I think any motor sport would be a favorite here in America.
Also, unlike Nascar, F1 is very hard to be "personable" with the team/drivers. Trying to get into the pits in Montreal is next to impossible or very expensive. Everything is so closed off from the public. I wish they would realize it's the fans that make the race worthy and make it a little more open.
As far as what is boring or well there was a race here and here, that wasn't the question asked. No matter where F1 goes, there will always be a crowd. We just need more advertising to get more interest!

Answer 3

Could it be that there are only four or six cars that have a chance at winning a race?

Could it be that sometimes they only can get 6 cars to start a race?

Could it be that they cannot get through the first turn of the first lap without crashing?

Could it be that a couple years ago, F1 went for an entire season with only a couple passes for the lead?

Could it be that "team orders" are pretty much equivalent to "fixing" a race?

Could it be that instead of having 20 cars within 2 seconds of the leader, f1 is lucky to have 2 cars on the same lap as the leader?

F1 used to be interesting. In fact I just watched Grand Prix on DVD this evening. I've attended 4 F1 races, a few dozen Indy Car races, and about 50 Nascar races. For racing action and strategy, I'd take Nascar any day.

Answer 4

Some really cool answers. Living in Charlotte, NC (which is for NASCAR what West London is for F1) I have started to follow a bit. I love F1 with a passion for its strategy . Bernie and Max have tried to destroy it with tinkering.

Nascar has a more level playing field but only because every 2 laps (or whenever someone sneezes or spits on the track) there is a caution that bunches everyone together. F1 may not have passing on track, but it's the strategy that makes it exciting in my view. To whoever said that Nascar is more physical (sorry if I missed your point), even Jeff Gordon admitted that F1 is more hard on the body than Nascar. The braking and cornering forces are much bigger. This is also supported by the fact that you have a lot of drivers who are still in their 40s and racing while at 37 everyone is expecting M. Schumacher to retire.

In the end, I disagree that there is no US interest. While F1 does not have the mass appeal, there are enough F1 crazy fans (look for them and you will find them) in the US, that can fill the Indy racetrack, as well as Montreal, which is enough for me.

Answer 5

We are Americans. Personally I prefer F1 but I digress.

1. They run a relatively short season. In the minds of many Americans more is better.

2. The driver names are not readily recognizable names to American society. Names like Gordon, Earnhardt, Stewart, Petty seem more accessible than Schumacher, Alonso, Coulthard, etc.

3. Open wheel racing in the states has a bad name since the IRL and CART split. Many people fail to see the differences in open wheel cars and then think that F1 is open wheel so must suffer the same problems.

4. The races are short.

5. There has been a lack of American drivers. Certainly Scott Speed is there now but the name is certainly not Andretti.

6. Only 1 race in the US just doesn't cut it for the American market.

7. The rules and procedures are just confusing at times.

Overall, not having F1 here for about 10 years and the complete lack of media exposure has hurt F1 in the states. The American market just doesn't seem to jive to road courses at all either. It is a true shame. These drivers are simply fantastic. The technology is unbelievable and the show is just so much fun. I really wish and hope that the US GP comes back to Indy next year.

Answer 6

The teams of IRL, World Formula and NASCAR are competitives, everyone can be the pole position. The F1 is very boring, just one driver wins all races, the difference between teams is very clear for anyone who watch the race. Some rich drivers pay for a place in the grid!!!!!! After Ayrton Senna's death at Imola, everything changes. We used to have a lot of emotions like: PiquetXMansell, ProstXSenna, etc...Now FIA must change something, I don't know what, and I prefer to see a good movie or even turn off the TV when F1 starts. I think it's not only in US, it's Worldwide.

Answer 7

But, there is interest in Formula One in America, perhaps not to the same degree as some other countries.
The estimated race day attendance at the recent U.S. Grand Prix was 130,000. Granted, 20,000 tickets were donated by Michelin and, even if we downscale the attendance to 100,000, that is more than attended several races this year, including the British and French Grands Prix.
Even during the halcyon years of Formula One racing in the U.S. I don't think the races attracted substantially larger crowds; I don't recall anything much larger when I went to F1 races at Watkins Glen, Long Beach, Detroit ....
Let's not forget there were three Grands Prix in the U.S. in 1982 - Long Beach, Las Vegas and Detroit. True, other forms of racing such as NASCAR and CART hadn't reached their zenith at the time and there were prominent American drivers in F1, including Phil Hill (1958-1964) and Mario Andretti (1968-1982), both world Champions.
Just as Italians do with Ferrari, Americans tend to cheer for their own and there has been a dearth of home-grown talent in F1 now for several years.
Is Formula One racing as popular in other parts of the world as we like to think it is? Sadly the answer is no; there are F1 fanatics in many countries, but I know so many Italians who have absolutely no interest in F1 racing and the same goes for people who live in Britain - I remember a customs officer at Heathrow airport asking me the nature of my trip to England and when I explained it was Formula One-related, I could have told him it was for a Flat Earth Society conference; it would have meant the same to him.

Answer 8

Because American motorsport fans are stupid enough to like spinning round and round on an oval until you go dizzy.
They are too dum to understand all the technology and preparation for both teams and drivers that goes into F1. Plus, the morons think the car drives itself. It's not like that. In that case, how come there are crashes in F1? Or engine blowouts? If the car were to drive itself, then there would be no such thing.

F1 RULES!!!! Go Fernando Alonso!!! The one and only #1!!!!

Answer 9

Because F1 doesn't go fast and turn left. They don't race on dirt. And if they are in the dirt they're crashing. Different cultures, different interests! Maybe F1 hasn't been marketed well in the US.

I like all sorts of racing, but I find big paved ovals boring compared to the little banked clay ovals where the Super Late Models run. Fast, dirty, wheel to wheel action. Lot of noise, lots of action.

My tastes are as varied as the next person and think Dirk Track racing is more fun to watch than F1. Of course, I like Short Attention Span Theater too. Just kidding about that one!

Answer 10

Except for Indy and Montreal it's on at strange times in the US. Also, Americans just don't see the same guy going pole to pole every race as entertainment. Say what you like about NASCAR, it's first priority is the fans whereas the FIA has to please the constructors, the teams, Ecclestone, tire companies etc. etc. before anyone thinks of the folks who actually buy the tickets and watch on TV. The biggest reason is F1 has so many other sports (including other motor sports) to compete with in the US.

Answer 11

There is not doubt as to the talent of the drivers, and the technology of the cars rivals something akin to Star Trek's Enterprise. However, so many of the races are basically a single file parade to the finish. Schu gets out in from early, and holds the lead till the end. Other than the first lap, first corner crashes, it isn't too interesting to watch!