P1racenews AI automatic summary:
F1’s reality check over falling social numbers is no surprise
The 2021 Formula 1 season and title fight between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton is increasingly being seen as a fluke with negative impacts. In the last 15 seasons, there have been only two proper ‘World Championship title fights’ between drivers of different teams. 2021 was the year when Verstappen challenged Hamilton and Mercedes’ dominance, leading to thrilling races, intense rivalry, and high-profile collisions. The final race in Abu Dhabi had the entire sporting world’s attention, with Verstappen ahead on countback. However, controversies and talks of Mercedes appeals and engineered finishes overshadowed the excitement. F1’s popularity soared in early 2022 due to off-track drama and a competitive season, but a report suggests that the 2023 season has seen a downturn in popularity, raising questions about the future of F1’s growth.
Source: RacingNews 365
