In an exclusive chat with Mirror Sport F1, Carlos Sainz explained his thoughts on the rapid growth of the sport in the United States with three races planned this season.
Miami and Las Vegas have joined Austin, Texas, on the U.S. Formula One circuit, and Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz believes the sport will go from strength to strength.
The Netflix documentary series “Drive to Survive” played a significant role in increasing the popularity of F1, which Saints believes is also responsible for the sport’s growing fan base. “I think it’s great. I think it helps the sport grow globally, but especially in America,” he said in an exclusive chat with Mirror Sport during a event organized by its sponsor Estrella Galicia.
“I think it’s partly down to the Netflix series, I think it’s massively opened up the sport to a younger generation of fans. According to F1, season 4 of “Drive to Survive” was the most-watched show on Netflix in the United States, as well as in 32 other countries. In a survey conducted by The New York Times, more than a third of those who attended the 2022 United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, cited the hit show as a reason for heading to the Speedway. Americas to watch the action.
Since the takeover of Liberty Media, F1’s audience in the United States has grown from just over 500,000 to around 1.4 million between 2018 and 2022. The overhaul of social media and connecting young drivers with their fans in various ways are other avenues that have opened the sport to a wider audience. new generation of fans in the United States. “America is a market that hasn’t been explored as much before,” adds Sainz.
“It gives us a new fan base and it’s about maintaining it, which F1 does, and taking advantage of it because there are great fans.” As the sport continues to grow, American celebrities are becoming more involved, such as Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds. The Deadpool star, who already co-owns Wrexham AFC with Rob McElhenney, has expanded his portfolio of sports team stakes by joining a consortium of investors which paid $218 million for a 24% stake in Alpine this summer .
The Ferrari driver opened up about Reynolds and other American stars’ involvement in F1, including Brad Pitt, who filmed some scenes for an F1 blockbuster at the British GP in July. “I think it’s not the first time and it won’t be the last that influential American figures are involved in the sport. We also have the movie with Brad Pitt being filmed at Silverstone. You can say that F1 is being followed lately by America and I think that’s great. The more people who want to invest and get something out of the sport, the better it is for everyone.
As previously mentioned, Sainz spoke to Mirror Sport at an event for Spanish beer Estrella Galicia, who have sponsored him for several years. The F1 driver comes from a motorsport family and the Spanish drink became his sponsor when he was just 17 and has supported him throughout his career. Estrella Galicia has supported Sainz throughout his F1 journey which began in 2015 with Scuderia Toro Rosso. The F1 driver thanked the company for the support he has received over the years and enjoys representing his brand across the world.
“Estrella is part of my life and my family. We have been together for over 12 years,” Sainz added. “The most important thing for me is that they supported me and collaborated with me when I was still a nobody. Nobody knew if I was going to make it to F1, but they followed me and invested in me and now we’re enjoying it.” that I succeeded. The opportunity to travel the world representing this incredible family brand as an ambassador is amazing.”
He added: “We have grown together. I think Estrella has seen massive growth over the last 10 years. I want to believe that because of the investment they have made in their partnerships, the company has seen a massive growth. F1 is booming all over the world and it helps the business from a global perspective. As a Spanish driver you will always prefer to associate and be supported by a company that shares the same values as you, the Family values.
“With the events we have, with the Spanish food and the Spanish beer, it makes you feel a little better if it feels more like home.” On the track however, before arriving at the Marina Bay Street circuit for the Singapore GP yesterday, Sainz had not had the best of seasons. Ahead of F1’s summer break in July, Ferrari failed to win a race and has managed just three podiums so far, all coming from Sainz’s teammate Charles Leclerc.
But since the season resumed, Sainz recorded his first podium at the Italian Grand Prix last month. But under the brilliant lines of the Far East, Sainz ended Red Bull’s dominance by winning a thrilling race and securing the second Grand Prix victory of his career. He led from lights out to the checkered flag by intelligently managing the race. This took him to victory and he became the first non-Red Bull driver to win a race this season by just 0.812 seconds ahead of Lando Norris, with Lewis Hamilton taking the final podium spot.
“An incredible feeling, an incredible weekend. I want to thank everyone at Ferrari for making this huge effort to recover and win this season after a difficult start,” Sainz said. “But now we had a successful weekend and a successful race. We did everything we had to do. We did it perfectly and we brought home a P1 that I’m sure all of Italy and Ferrari will be proud.” It is the driver’s first victory since the 2022 British GP and he is fifth in the drivers’ standings with 142 points.
