Singapore: The Future of F1

We haven't seen any track action yet but already the night race in Singapore is being seen by some as the future direction for F1.

Having races at a convenient time zone for Euopean TV viewers, and so introducing the novelty of racing at night, is far from a new idea. Ok, it's new to F1 but other sports have been doing this kind of thing for a long time, and it looks like the lights will make it appear as if it were daytime anyway. So what's the big deal?

In addition, Nick Fry was quoted in F1 Racing as saying this is just the start. In a couple of years we could be seeing two races during a weekend, and reverse grids, all because F1 is entertainment and must put on a good show.

Well, yes, but...Isn't this an argument that applies to tv itself? There's long been the argument that tv is catering for the lowest common demoninator in order to capture viewers and so we end up with dozens of "celebrity" entertainment shows in various, but similar, formats.

F1 is a 'tv sport' now, of that there is little doubt, and increasingly the demands of tv are determining the shape of the sport both in terms of money and format. That may be fine for the casual viewer, and there are many more of those than genuine F1 enthusiasts, but as an enthusiast for F1 who doesn't just tune in to see the end result I have real concerns about the direction F1 is going in.

I can see a time, not so far away, when in the rush for entertainment we lose the essence of what F1 is, and what makes it unique, and will see the sport become just another 'made for tv' entertainment show.

Any thoughts?

I think that turning one of the best ever racing sports into a business is good for those involved in it's marketing side and bad for those who loved F1, like the older fans.

I certainly prefer them running on sweeping bends through the woods than watching them brake and turn 90 degrees left and right in the middle of a city.

Never been a street racing fan!

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Originally Posted by ioan

I think that turning one of the best ever racing sports into a business is good for those involved in it's marketing side...

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It seems from this report it's rather more than just those involved in the marketing side that benefit:

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Investing in Formula One races still makes good financial sense for governments despite the huge sanctioning fees demanded by the sport's commercial boss Bernie Ecclestone, claims a new research document.

The ING Investment Index states that governments of nations hosting F1 races invested a total of 275 million dollars (US) in hosting races, while receiving a return of 1.52 billion dollars for their local economies.

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Arrows its sad but yes F1 and many other sports will head the same way just like Cricket has gone since the T20 (read IPL) circus started.

Some people want to call it the evolution of the sport but I prefer to call it the dumbing down to entertain all and sundry.

:(

I like the idea of night races, just no more street circuits. Imagine a track like Spa at night !!!!! That would be a sight :up:

It wouldn't surprise me if F1 turned into a glorified club meeting with multiple sprint races on Sunday.

WRC - series of sprints, no longer test of endurance

GTs - 2hr races

well Max, I salute you!

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Originally Posted by 555-04Q2

I like the idea of night races...

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Could you explain why though? The lights recreate daylight very effectively it seems, so the only difference we'll see is the night sky.

The idea of reverse grid races in f1 is silly. There is usually so little difference between the top few guys that it would hand the win to the fastest guy in the mid field. Would we see tactical qualifying? This would be a real shame.

There seems to be a big hullaballoo about night races. After watching the Qatar MotoGP, I can't say I was knocked out by it. It just looked like a normal race - the lights are that good. With safety being a priority (quite rightly) you can't race in anything less than daylight.
It would have been interesting if they had to put a lamp pod on the front like the McLaren spoof.
As for the main point - all sport seems to be going that way - it's now a business first, sport second. Sadly, as a Rallyfan - it's been ruined by trying to sell itself for TV, now, nobody gives a care for it. I fully understand modern sport is big business, but it should never forget it's heritage, and were it came from - sadly that doesn't interest the money men/or Bernie!!

Yes I am not sure if the night race is going to be very different if its as bright as sunlight (well it has to be for safety purposes)....surely it helps sports like football where the lights add that little something extra to the spectacle.