Why does F1 Racing get less media coverage in comparison to NASCAR in the United States?

Answer 1

I would assume it is because Americans rarely like to follow those sports in which Americans do not do well.

Answer 2

Short answer, because F1 doesn't care about the US.

Long answer: Look at the history of F1 in the US. The USGP has been a joke for the last 8 years at Indy and was a shuffled around joke in the years it did come to the US before that back in the early 80s. The low point recently being 2005 where unless contractually obligated, no TV network ran the 2005 USGP debacle and that was worldwide. But it didn't stop there. It was 2004 I believe where the Ferraris actually played politics with team points rather than go for the win and purposely swapped placed on the final lap.

Add to that a fairly boring racing style, ie: single file speed parade, little passing or contact, and it really being a mfg money showcase. Then add dear old Bernie, who has nothing but contempt for the US market and the complete lack of US drivers or manufacturers... and you wonder why no one in the US covers F1 in the media? F1 has treated the US like crap and is treated in kind here by the media and the fans (note only 100,000 fans went to the USGP this year, while the other two events at Indy garnered anywhere from 260,000 - 400,000 fans depending on who you ask). ESPN put it best, "Bernie says F1 doesn't need the USGP, but guess what Bernie, the US doesn't need F1."

Answer 3

It is all about level of interest, or perceived interest. Media coverage only "follows the crowd" in every area, be it sports, news, or entertainment. Apparently, the mainstream media beleives more Americans are interested in NASCAR than F1. This is a true statement.
I believe this is the case due to the fact that NASCAR stages 100% of the Cup races inside the US with (almost) 100% American drivers (Montoya excepted). Also, Americans seem to gravitate toward "American" sports - basketball, football, and baseball, rather than those sports that are identified with another country (like hockey) and/or did not originate in the US (like soccer).
A final reason I believe is the perceived lack of "action" in an F1 race. NASCAR is set up to provide drama and action throughout its races, with the outcome usually undecided until the final lap. F1 races are often "follow the leader" events, where the fastest qualifier also has the best race set-up and is able to lead every lap.

Answer 4

Because F1 has become a sport of who can spend the most money. Its become a showcase of what manufactures can do with unlimited budgets. Driver skill is not as important as who has the superior car. Very little side-by-side action, fewer lead changes, fewer laps.

Nascar is more exciting to watch because the driver does the work, not the car. Its not a high-speed parade like F1. More passes, shuffles, bumping, Pit crews that actually do something.

Now take that popularity and feed in the marketing machine of the American Media, and you'll see why F1 just can't compete in the ratings.

Oh, and in actuality, F1 cars are MUCH easier to drive at high speeds. Just ask Juan P. Montoya.

Answer 5

nascar gets more media coverage than F1 racing because there are more fans. And thats why there is more media coverage. I like F1 racing to though!

Answer 6

the majority of the circuits are in Europe. this may not be the main reason, but it has got to be one of the biggest. Bernie is reaching further afield but has axed next years US GP. i guess he doesn't get x amount of millions of pound showing F1 on Us TV. (he owns the TV rights). The same thing could be said of NASCAR. it is shown at stupid o'clock in the morning in the UK so it obviously won't have a wide audience here.

Answer 7

Very simple. Its a predominently European racing series. Unless there was a big American driver tearing up F1, there isnt gonna be any casual viewers who really give a damn about F1.

Answer 8

Formula One bears the unfortunate stigma of being a "wussy European" sport. It's a rare NASCAR driver who could handle a F1 machine, but they have such massive egos and are such lazy turds they think all they gotta do is drive real fast...which is an okay tactic if all the skill involved is running 'round in circles! };^)

Answer 9

Much less. In some markets none at all.

Answer 10

It's an European sport.