The end of Max Verstappen’s domination: good for the sport, good for the audiences? Since the Dutchman no longer wins – his last victory dates back to the Spanish Grand Prix at the end of June – suspense has been reignited in the title race… and the championship has seen a certain resurgence of interest. And this has direct consequences on television audiences and attendance on the circuits. Particularly in the United States, which will host the next Formula 1 meeting in Austin, on the Circuit of the Americas (October 18-20).
According to the promoter of the American round, Bobby Epstein, the “Ticket sales really took off when Max [Verstappen] stopped winning and the competition intensified ». Exceptional enthusiasm for this 2024 season, because let’s remember, in 2023, Max Verstappen and were already crowned world champions even before the United States Grand Prix! This year, none of that: the Red Bull driver is “only” 52 points ahead of Lando Norris and loses a little of his lead each race weekend.
The promoter confided that he feared a « [affluence] the lowest in four years since the pandemic » to Reuters, but said there had rather been an effect “hockey stick” with increasing sales. “I think we’ll have a weekend like we’ve never had in terms of general excitement and things to do, rejoiced Bobby Epstein, who expects an extraordinary atmosphere in the city of Austin, which will also host the same weekend of American football between the Texas Longhorns and the Georgia Bulldogs. The fact that we have a high-level college game that Saturday will make this weekend an extraordinary event. »
Ricciardo, a hoped-for presence in Austin
The only stone in the promoter’s shoe: the absence of Daniel Ricciardo, star driver in the United States notably thanks to his role in the Netflix series “Drive to Survive”. The Australian was fired by Racing Bulls after the Singapore Grand Prix and will be replaced by Liam Lawson in Austin. However, Bobby Epstein hopes that the ex-Red Bull driver can still be present in another role.
“I’m not sure people will buy tickets to come see him race if he’s not in a competitive carhe declared, but if you come, it’s because he’s part of the F1 community, and I think he can still be part of the F1 community in a pretty meaningful way. I hope he continues to come here, because we have a lot of people who would like to shake his hand, get an autograph, take a photo or just see him around town. We’ll keep him busy. »
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