To increase popularity of F1, media needs to play a key role - Saurabh Kapoor

Since the last two decades media has been growing at a rapid pace and new forms of media like social media is getting popularised.We would all agree to the fact that media played an important role in popularising cricket. On the corollary if we look at decline of other sports like Hockey we can see that one of primary reasons for that is lack of media coverage and promotion.

The media have always highlighted sporting achievements in a great fashion. F1 too caught eye of nation during India Grand prix when media covered and popularised it. Even recent movies like Rush generated an excitement among people regarding F1 races and social media too plays an important role in that where people formed interest groups and kept the buzz alive by posting comments and likes.

The media coverage popularises F1 in following ways:

Branding: By showcasing F1 in a positive light as an entertaining and thrilling sport, media acts as great influencer and branding tool

Reach – F1 reaches homes of billions through media telecasts and events 

Education - People learn the rules and get knowledge about F1 by watching it

Role models – Watching talented sports people on TV, movies and newspapers makes them a role model for people

Inspiration - Media brings F1 to people who may not normally get to experience it otherwise. This can encourage people to get involved by forming interest groups around their favourite teams