GPDA Survey: Fans Prefer Reform to Revolution
The global survey by the Formula 1 Drivers' Association has delivered its verdict: enthusiasts of the discipline are not demanding a regulatory upheaval, but a return to formulas that have proven their worth in the past.
In response to negative feedback and the drop in viewership observed in Formula 1, the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association launched a major global survey a few weeks ago to gather fans’ opinions on the future evolution of the discipline. Overall, the 217,756 enthusiasts who responded are resistant to too much upheaval, but nonetheless demand some restructuring.
Unsurprisingly, fans believe that F1 should attract more fans (85%), that it should be more competitive (89%), and that commercial interests currently have too much influence in the sport (77%).
The opinion of respondents about the current Formula 1 is, however, unequivocal: less than 10% think the discipline is attractive. F1 is considered costly, technological, and boring according to the most frequently used terms. In 2010, it was technological, competitive, and exciting. The survey also indicates a lack of audience renewal: 75% of respondents have been following F1 for more than a decade. Finally, 45% of the audience believes that the best drivers are truly valued.
To enhance the spectacle, several solutions deemed unreasonably artificial have been massively rejected, such as the reverse grid (only 18% positive votes) or the added weight in the fastest cars (26%).
Regarding the customer car project, which could reduce costs for private teams, it does not gather the majority of the votes (44%). The idea of adopting the same chassis-engine set for all teams is massively rejected (16%), as is the idea of reducing the number of teams to move to three drivers per major manufacturer.
Other proposals, less revolutionary but more reassuring, have the support of enthusiasts: 74% believe that regulations should be less strict to allow different technologies to coexist; the return to two tire manufacturers has the approval of 80% of respondents, while the return of fuel refueling appeals to 60% of the public.
The votes were close regarding the introduction of capped budgets (54% positive votes) or the bonus points to be awarded for the fastest lap in a race (51%).
The president of the GPDA, Alexander Wurz, draws conclusions from this global survey: « Through the survey, fans are clear: they do not want a radical overhaul of the discipline that would distance it from its historical roots. (…) They want a competitive sport, not just a spectacle, and they believe that the financial interests in F1 have become too significant and are putting the discipline at risk. The GPDA will study the results in detail over the coming weeks, and from there we intend to work with the key individuals who lead F1 to place the fans’ sentiment at the center of the future of our sport. »
