Stefano Domenicali: For viewers, overtakes are more important than data.
In several recent races, the graphics showing the battery charge levels of the cars have disappeared from the Formula 1 broadcasts. Many fans have noticed this, as under the new technical regulations, this information helps to understand not only the moment of overtaking itself but also what preceded it, as well as how the battle developed afterward.
The president and CEO of Formula 1, Stefano Domenicali, responding to a question about the absence of this graphic in the broadcasts, stated that such information is simply uninteresting to most viewers.
Stefano Domenicali: "No one is interested in how the driver manages the car. People are interested in whether an overtake happened or not. That is what matters to the overwhelming majority of viewers.
Yes, I agree that there is a group of fans for whom such information is very important. It’s similar to the situation with DRS, where people were interested in the fact of overtaking itself, not the reasons behind it.
On Saturday, I had a very interesting conversation with George Lucas. He was in Hungary and shared his view on how new fans perceive Formula 1. He offered a very interesting perspective that made us think about how to simplify the broadcasts because new viewers do not understand all the technical nuances happening behind the scenes. They are primarily attracted to the fact that something is always happening on the track.
Of course, those who are deeply interested in the technical side of the sport need to be provided with the necessary information. But believe me, most viewers just want to see the battle on the track. They are not interested in the throttle opening angle, brake system pressure, or other technical details explaining how exactly the overtake occurred.
Remember how brilliantly Max Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton at the first corner in Hungary. That is a true work of art, and viewers want to see moments like that. They are primarily related to the skill of the drivers.
Ultimately, everything else is just tools that the driver uses to maximize the car's capabilities, whether it’s braking, accelerating, or operating the electric power unit. That’s how I see it.
Of course, for a certain part of our fans, such data is important, and it is available. But judging by the feedback we receive, most viewers find it uninteresting."
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Stefano Domenicali: For viewers, overtakes are more important than data.
Stefano Domenicali, responding to a question about the absence of battery charge level graphics in the broadcasts, stated that most viewers simply find such information uninteresting.