“Times have changed,” Ex-F1 driver claims people must understand F1 has “outgrown Europe”

In recent years, there has been a consistent rise in the number of races held out of Europe.

“Times have changed,” Ex-F1 driver claims people must understand F1 has “outgrown Europe”

Las Vegas GP (via IMAGO)

Formula 1 started racing back in 1950 with the British GP. Since then, the sport has been massively dominated by the European culture. However, recent times have witnessed a major shift in the market of the pinnacle of motorsport. Multiple other countries and continents, especially America and Asia have started gaining the ‘F1 bug’. Hence, amidst this, Former F1 driver, Juan Pablo Montoya addressed this fact.

Juan Pablo Montoya didn’t hesitate to point out that Formula 1 fans needed to understand that the sport had outgrown Europe. Although F1 used to be highly dominant in Europe with a few distant races, times changed since then. Additionally, newer requirements and regulations had been put forth that couldn’t always be addressed by the European entities in F1.

Ha, I also like that. People in Europe need to understand that Formula 1 has become a global sport. It has outgrown Europe. It used to be a European sport with a few distant races, but those times have changed. Other requirements are also set.
Juan Pablo Montoya said, as reported by formule1.nl.
YouTube video

Apart from this, Montoya put forth the option of choosing between Spa-Francorchamps and the recent Miami circuit. Despite the fans choosing Spa due to its history and track layout, Miami had its own benefits. The Colombian further added that Miami did better for the sport in the bigger picture as the racing action and show were better.

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If contemporaries of ours had to choose between a race in Spa or Miami, for example, most would choose Spa. Because of the history and nostalgia. But what Miami does with the sport is much better in the bigger picture. Racing is better, catch-up actions are better, the show is better.
Juan Pablo Montoya added.

Juan Pablo Montoya claims F1 drivers ‘complain a lot’ about changes

Formula 1 is ever-growing in a majority of the parts of the world. Hence, alongside this, the sport continues to bring in massive upgrades. However, sometimes these changes are welcomed in the best manner by the people present on the grid. Juan Pablo Montoya highlighted that the sport was obliged to put up a show to make the fans happy.

Without any doubt. I also hear the criticism and of course it is a sport, but what many Europeans have forgotten is that we have sponsors. And fans. The sport is obliged to put on the best possible show that makes everyone happy.
Juan Pablo Montoya noted.
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc
Max Verstappen and Charles Leclerc (via IMAGO)

Regardless, the drivers complained a lot about these changes as they weren’t seemingly fun at the start. However, once the drivers experience the changes, they aren’t as disinterested or against them. As a result, Montoya reckoned that complaining was the ‘second nature’ of the drivers present on the Formula 1 grid.

Drivers tend to complain a lot. Especially before: ‘ This is bad. That's no fun. Why do we have to do this? ’ This is distracting. And once they have experienced it and noticed that there is nothing wrong with it, you will no longer hear them. Drivers just have to complain. That is apparently their second nature.
Juan Pablo Montoya concluded.

Hence, the sport will continue to bring in major upgrades here and there to keep the sport exciting. Liberty Media’s attempt at increasing the sport’s attractiveness has worked in the favor of the sport. As a result, the future of Formula 1 is going to be brighter than it currently is.

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