Domenicali hopes F1 teams will watch American drivers

Determined to grow the popularity of the sport in its own backyard after securing a second US Grand Prix, F1 is now keen to see an American driver on the grid.

It is fair to say that the United States had a difficult relationship with the United States, with most of the blame on the sport itself.

Although there were two American world champions, Phil Hill and Mario Andretti, the sport has never shown American fans the respect it should have.

Ignoring the 2005 Indianapolis debacle, the sport over the years seems to almost mock its followers at what many consider the home of the automobile, especially when it comes to venue choices. While ignoring the likes of Laguna Seca, fans were instead spoiled with cars racing around the parking lot of a Las Vegas casino.

Like the drivers, the American teams were few and far between and even then were mostly treated with the arrogance that the Europeans do best.

However, since Liberty Media took control of the sport, the company has made no secret of its desire to expand the sport in its backyard. After adding a second American race to the calendar, it wants to encourage a home boy or two. to the sport.

The last American driver to compete in F1 was Alexander Rossi, who drove for Manor Marussia in 2015. He was shunned by Haas a year later when he got into the sport, and Rossi drove to IndyCar, where he finished second in 2018.

Stefano Domenicali, F1 boss, made it clear in an interview with investors that one of his next goals is to encourage the teams to look at American drivers.

When asked if an American driver competing in Miami would give F1 the boost it needs in America, Domenicali said, “In relation to Miami with the American drivers, it’s important. The answer for me is very clear, it is yes.

“You know, we work in teams,” he continued. “We’re trying to understand what possibilities there are for American drivers to attract the attention of the F1 teams at short notice.”

“It could come,” he added. “I don’t see this as very pragmatic and realistic in the next two or three years. But maybe after that, yes.

“I know there are teams that watch other good drivers. If they are ready, this will give the American fans a big boost. As we know, faces, drivers, excitement, passion and people put these guys to see.”

“So we hope that very, very soon we will have American drivers competing against everyone else in the F1 championship.”

Regarding the Miami race, which finally gave the green light last month, he said, “The good news is we’re talking about a different race in the US, with a different culture, with a different philosophy, with a different style and way we do I’ll structure the show around it.

“And the amazing news is that in just a few weeks of our announcement, there is really a lot of awareness about this event and the expectation of reaching the desired level.

“This is why we are building a good set of communications with the American community because we want to maximize everything from it.

“For example, I can anticipate one thing that will be fantastic. We’re going to share the race in Monaco with the Miami Gardens Stadium and the Miami Dolphins because they want to start living the atmosphere. This will make it happen.” us the right platform to be ready to ensure that the value we are generating from the US will be even higher.

“And that really is the basic strategic thinking behind the fact that we’re going to have two races in the United States.”

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