P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Toto Wolff claims Daniel Ricciardo crucial to F1 fans after critical Mercedes decision
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff emphasized the influence of drivers like Daniel Ricciardo in attracting a new generation of F1 fans. The Netflix docu-series Drive to Survive has significantly altered the landscape of modern Formula 1, drawing in a younger and more diverse audience, resulting in record attendances at circuits. Initially, top teams and drivers like Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton were not featured on the show, instead highlighting drivers lower down the grid such as Ricciardo and Carlos Sainz. Wolff, speaking at the Autosport Business Exchange in New York, explained Mercedes’ choice not to participate initially, praising personalities like Ricciardo for bringing new fans to F1. The Drive to Survive series showcased the trials and triumphs of drivers like Ricciardo, shedding light on his 2018 season struggles while also documenting his Monaco GP win and departure from Red Bull.
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