To increase popularity of F1, media needs to play a key role - Nirav Shah

Media is not an essential entity. It’s just a spoke in the wheel like many other. What we need are axles. First of all, let’s be very clear about what we mean by popularity here. The stance that I’ll discuss is that although many of us are passionate about the sport, it doesn’t culminate into active participation.

Formula 1 has always been an expensive sport. Without being from a wealthy family or without sponsorship backing, there are no avenues to showcase talent. Youths like us are already mesmerized by the sport but is that enough? There are hardly any go karting tracks in the metropolitan areas. The Sahara Force India team has over 3 lakhs likes on facebook. The Buddh international circuit witness good turnouts but poor revenue due to rupee depreciation and the fact that revenues from TV rights and track sponsorships go to the F1 management directly. Also, India is a resource and land scarce country. Setting up training locations is an expensive deal.

The Football business is slowly gaining traction because it can be played anywhere with negligible expenses. Formula 1 is heavily reliant on machinery, space, labour which indirectly translates to a huge burden on the pocket. Starsports has already been showing the sport on their channel as well as the digital world so there is wide coverage. Also media channels have provided good coverage and build up until now. Celebrity endorsements, training centres by major corporations and government support via lower taxes are the need of the hour.