Jenson Button thinks that Formula One should learn from NASCAR
There are people who believe that Formula One has always been more of an elite class sport. It is very rare that the fans get a chance to be closer to the drivers and the cars. If someone is able to get closer to a driver, he is thought to be a lucky person. Somehow, if he happens to touch a car, the person surely has more with him than merely luck.
The reigning world champion, Jenson Button thinks that it is high time now that Formula One starts learning from NASCAR when it comes to treating its fans.
Button had been in Toronto this Tuesday to promote the Canadian Grand Prix along with his sponsor Hugo Boss. The Grand Prix is scheduled for the 13th of June at the Montreal Circuit.
The driver thinks that Formula One has lately treated its fans very poorly. Now the strategy needs to be changed regarding the people who have showed their love for the cars, the drivers and the sport for so long.
Button, the 30-year-old racer, said that as the race returns to North America and Montreal after a gap of one year, people in the region are more enthusiastic than ever before and that they must be treated the way they actually expect and deserve to be treated. Last year, no race was held in Canada due to settlement issues between the officials and the sponsors. He added that the race bosses must take full advantage of the opportunity to heighten the race mania to newer levels now.
He thinks that Bernie Eccelstone, President and CEO of Formula One Management, has not given much attention to the fan base in the same way as NASCAR is given. The people in North America are different; they need more attention and consideration to keep their love for the sport going on. NASCAR serves them with what they want. He said that their fans are given more importance and time during their events. The drivers must be made more accessible for Formula One fans.
He added with concern that F1 had not been able to deliver that in the past and somehow that had been acceptable. However, things have changed and fans demand more. He said that it is the fans that make the race what it is today and actually the drivers become heroes because of them.
The British driver also announced that the promoters of the Canadian Grand Prix have already started to take steps in the right direction. He was happy to proclaim that an autograph session is going to take place this weekend. That will allow the drivers to spend more time with their fans. He added that this is something that they have not practiced in the past years but he thinks that it was an important move to make if F1 wants to compete with NASCAR in the coming years.
Just like the other drivers, he is very excited as they move towards Montreal. The Canadian Grand Prix had always been a great experience, he told as the fervour and passion of people here is unmatched to any other place.
However, Button concluded that all this only adds to the flavour. What people actually want to see is a great race on the track. They come to see the skills and expertise of the drivers. He added that he is concentrating to help his McLaren team do their best against their rival Red Bull to claim the drivers and constructors championships.
After the last Turkish Grand Prix, Button stands five points behind Mark Webber of Red bull. McLaren is just short of a single point from the Red bull team in the constructors’ battle. He sees this Grand Prix to be an opportunity to beat the Red Bull.
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