F1 News
Steiner explains: 'This is why Formula 1 scores poorly in Germany'
Formula 1 has never been more popular. Around the world, the grandstands are full and the number of television viewers is rising. In Germany, on the other hand, Formula 1 's popularity has hit an all-time low. Whereas a few years ago Germany was listed as an F1 country with two Grands Prix on German soil, attention for the sport has plummeted in recent years. Speaking to Motorsport-Magazin, Haas team boss Guenther Steiner explains why he believes this has happened.
Little interest in Formula 1 in Germany
Team boss Steiner also sees the developments in Germany and expresses his hope that the country will embrace the sport again. He takes the Netherlands as an example. "Now we have to make sure we get a fan base in Germany, like in the Netherlands [with Max Verstappen]. They have a lot of young people watching Formula 1, also in America, the whole world. Only in Germany are we struggling and that's a shame, because Germany has always been a Formula 1 country," Steiner said.
Nico Hulkenberg is the only active German in Formula 1 this season, but in terms of results, the man from Emmerich am Rhein has yet to make a mark. With the Haas, Hulkenberg is fighting for the last few points at best. Steiner also sees this and agrees that a successful driver will contribute to popularity. Steiner also thinks a race in Germany will boost interest in Formula 1. "I do bring the driver [to Formula 1]. A race would be nice, but that should be discussed with the German industry and politics, not with me."
Steiner: 'Pay TV is a big problem'
Currently, Sky Sports holds the broadcasting rights for F1 in Germany. Only in a few cases are races broadcast on public channels. Steiner sees this development as a big problem for the decline in interest in Formula 1. "It is definitely a problem because German television viewers are not used to paying for television," said the Haas team boss. He thinks Germany is a pre-eminent country where the content of free TV is very good.
Steiner continued: "Therefore: why should I pay if the free stuff I get is also good? Then comes the content and then, logically, people should also say: I want to watch that and I will also spend money on that." He thinks Sky Sports is also partly responsible for the problem, but would not call their broadcasts bad. "You have to make sure that if you are selling something, that it is attractive enough to make people pay money for it. You have to look at that as well. There aredifferent things, but I certainly don't want to say it's bad."