Analysis: The findings of the GPDA F1 fan survey

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association(GPDA) conducted a mass Formula 1 fan survey between 22nd May to 8th June, 2015, the results of which were

A key finding of the GPDA fan survey was that F1 was believed to be in much better health, including in terms of competition, five years ago when four drivers from three different teams were in contention for the drivers championship at the season finale. And to an extent 2011 and 2012 too which featured close racing behind a dominant Red Bull team and multiple winners a year later.

The findings revealed many fans following F1 closely and understanding the need for technology to be a focus but not at the expense of prohibitively high costs that hurt smaller teams and also an aversion to regulations that do not allow for variety on the technological front.

Some findings, however, like 80 percent of the respondents harkening for the refuelling era suggested a hint of knee-jerk glorifying of the immediate past in wanting drivers to be \'flat out\' for the entire race instead of having to manage their fuel loads and tyre life and find a way to overtake on track. Fans were dead against \'gimmicks\' like reverse grids and even DRS though.

The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association(GPDA) conducted a mass Formula 1 fan survey between 22nd May to 8th June, 2015, the results of which were recently published. Over 2,15,000 fans from 194 countries, including India, took part, in what was the biggest survey in the F1’s history.

The online survey was welcomed by fans who have otherwise been neglected by the sport’s rule makers. Every business/sport must understand the needs and requirements of its customers, and F1 is no different.

As far as the results are concerned, there weren’t any major surprises, in the words of Jenson Button, co-director of the GPDA alongside fellow F1 champion Sebastian Vettel and chairman Alex Wurz.

Majority of the fans were not in favour of gimmicks such as reverse grid or success ballast, having already shown disapproval for DRS and the stillborn idea of standing restarts.

There was strong support, however, for making Formula 1 far more sustainable for the independent outfits, following Caterham’s demise at the end of last year.

NOT A ROSY PICTURE
To some more disconcerting views, less than 10% of the fans believe Formula 1 is in better shape than it was in 2010, when four drivers went head-to-head in the season finale, with a shot at the title. Fans now describe grand prix racing using the attributes ‘expensive’, ‘technological’ and ‘boring’, as opposed to ‘technological’, ‘competitive’ and ‘exciting’ five years ago.

Fans also called for a more competitive F1, having seen Mercedes dominate the sport comprehensively since the advent of the V6 era in 2014.

A return of tyre war and refuelling also saw strong support from the fans, with 80 percent supporting the return of refuelling. However, the latter questions the usability of the findings. Contrary to popular belief, refuelling reduces the on-track overtaking, and induces drivers to gain position in the pits.

Fans apparently believe that a return of refuelling will allow drivers to push through the entire duration of the race, without having to lift and coast. The return of refuelling has been all but killed off by the latest proposals by the F1 Strategy Group, which did not see a value for its return.

THE REAL TASK BEGINS NOW
With the sport mired in negativity and the decision makers frantically trying to introduce knee-jerk changes without a comprehensive strategy, it was refreshing to see the GPDA paying heed to the fans and asking for their say.

Although it must be noted that much of the impetus to change F1 comes from increasingly knee-jerk reaction by fans who vent on social media and relate to whatever they feel to be the era of the sport that they find most appealing.

However, conducting the survey and compiling the results completes only half the task. A thorough analysis of the findings beckons with the involved parties - the GPDA directors and the third-party survey maker Repucom - now having to device sensible proposals on the basis of what fans want.

Although the survey results were weighted to be representative of all regions and interests, majority of the views come from diehard fans, as proved by the fact that 3/4th of the respondents have been following F1 for over 10 years.

Another thing to note is that drivers have no say in future direction of the sport. That role lies with a separate body, known as the Strategy Group, that comprises of six leading teams, Formula 1's commercial arm, the FOM and the governing body, the FIA.

The GPDA will have to make concerted efforts to convince the members of the Strategy Group to listen to F1’s banfase and incorporate the changes in 2017 rules, the outline for which has already been laid.