2014 FIA Formula 1 World Championship

Bernie Ecclestone on F1's Young Fans and lack of Social Media:

"Young kids will see the Rolex brand, but are they going to go and buy one? They can't afford it. Or our other sponsor, UBS - these kids don't care about banking. They haven't got enough money to put in the bloody banks anyway.

"That's what I think. I don't know why people want to get to the so-called 'young generation'. Why do they want to do that? Is it to sell them something? Most of these kids haven't got any money.

"I'd rather get to the 70-year-old guy who's got plenty of cash. So, there's no point trying to reach these kids because they won't buy any of the products here and if marketers are aiming at this audience, then maybe they should advertise with Disney."

Frankly I feel insulted right now...

Source: http://www.planetf1.com/news/3213/9563492/Bernie-On-Tweeting-Fans-More

That's some [Censored], and honestly, looking at that on the reverse, as far as F1 being the most unnecessarily expensive and ill accessible racing series, is why I've never liked it. F1 is akin to some of the worst economy's out there, where the rich teams get richer and the poor teams get snuffed out. Keep it Bernie.

Bernie has a warped sense of marketing strategies. While he's right that if you want to make a buck today, don't market to those that can't afford it. That said, Porsche and Lamborghini have the right strategy. They market powerfully and frequently in publications that are directed at younger audiences. They are going for the "Childhood Poster" marketing effect. Something that drives you to become a true fanatic of the brand and will change your life to become an owner of one of their machines. They are MAKING a future market, rather than trying to simply sustain sales to those that can already afford it.

To me, marketing to younger generations is a proven and effective strategy. Look at Singer and RUF. Rob Dickinson (CEO, Singer) saw his first Porsche when he was 5 and it inspired him to go to college for car design and later became so obsessed with owning and restoring Porsches that he created Singer Vehicle Design (named after Norbert Singer who was, at least in some capacity, responsible for every single one of Porsche's 16 Le Mans victories) that takes 964 series 911's and turns them into highly sophisticated restoration projects that outwardly look and feel like a 1960's classic 911.

RUF started as a service center and gas station until it was Ruf's son (Alois Ruf Jr.) that was so influenced by some of the sports cars that he wanted to own them and improve them himself. When he took control of his father's garage, his first major project resulted in a faster and more hardcore version of the Porsche 911 Turbo that had only just been released by Porsche itself.

Another example would be games like Gran Turismo and Forza Motorsport. Young gamers grow up admiring these cars and hope to one day own one or several of them. The generation that grew up playing Gran Turismo 1 and 2 are now in their 30's and have some cash to actually start buying some of these cars. I'm among them and their marketing has worked on me. I want to watch races on the tracks I played, and I want to drive the cars I grew up admiring. It doesn't mean that we are simply brainless zombies that just buy whatever they are pitching, but it does start to expose you to something you *may* be interested in later in life.

TLDR: Marketing and exposure at an early age can have profound effects on how a brand is perceived for an individual's entire life. Bernie is an idiot.

as far as the Audi F1 in 2016...I'd say if they were going to do it, expect it in 2017. That said, they have done QUITE a bit of positioning that makes F1 a logical step for them. Aquiring Stephano Domenicali, and their rather open talk about potentially becoming an engine supplier to Red Bull F1 doesn't calm any of the rumors.

While banks may not get tons of business from younger F1 fans now, banks that stay in operation long enough will get some business from today's younger F1 fans.

That being said, on the flip side, what generation does Bernie think buys RedBull products?

Lewis deserved the title, that is indisputable.

A couple of things I want to go over, firstly regarding the Rosberg/Hamilton relationship. Its the media and fans that try to drive a wedge between them. They've been great friends for ages and always will be. Obviously fighting for a World Championship is going to make them say and do things in the heat of the moment. Rosberg will be happy for Lewis, I am 100% sure, whilst Lewis will also feel sympathy for his friend, particularly as reliability cost him in 2007.

Seen some people on twitter laughing at Rosberg 'crying'. Whilst I don't know if Rosberg was actually crying, people have to remember this is their life's work. It all came down to this and he was denied a fair shot at an on-track scrap due to reliability issues. Personally, I would be devastated.

Jensen seemingly ousted at McLaren. If I was a team principle and I was definitely getting a new driver for next season, I would choose the driver with the most points as the driver that stays on. Button has outperformed his team mate consistently. Magnussen has potential, but that's all it is. And out of the current crop of younger drivers, I put him down on the list of those I think will become World Champions. Furthermore, I don't like the way he's been left waiting. Give him an answer, don't string him along. Whatever Jensen does, he will be missed in the paddock.

It's also very important to remember what we have and what others have lost. 1 team completely collapsed, making hundreds of staff redundant & the other on a tightrope of financial instability. We've experienced a horrific accident at Suzuka, that really puts things into perspective. I very much doubt that Jules will return to compete at the top, if he returns at all. #ForzaJules. #KeepFightingMichael.

This hasn't been a proud season for Formula One at all.

Completely agree regarding Lewis, 11 wins to Rosberg's 5 shows it! That said, apart from in Monaco and Belgium, Rosberg has driven fantastically all year and handled himself brilliantly after the race today

Nico did nothing wrong at Monaco may I add, both Monte & Spa were mistakes. Driver of the year Ricciardo, Drive of the year Bianchi.

This is the first time, going into the final round (regardless of double points), that Nico was in a position to win the title.

This is Hamilton's fourth, 2007 (lost due to technical issues), 2008 (Won due to Timo Glock), 2010 (Lost, Red Bull were better) and 2014 (won due to mc hammer).

Watching today's race made me think that of all the gimmicks available at Bernie's disposal, double points was the least effective of all.

If it were me, and I wanted to put on the best show for the fans while showcasing driver ability, I'd have simply skipped qualifying entirely for this round and gridded the cars in reverse of driver points.

To see the title contenders both starting in the final row of the grid, having to actually work their way to the front in hopes of a Championship, would have most likely been the best race in F1 history.

BTW, as a fan of the sport, I prefer to watch overtaking rather than simply gapping the competition.

Completely agree Mikey, had it not been the fact that my favourite driver won, i may be pissed. The ONLY saving grace this season is that we had a battle between Lewis and Nico as opposed to Vettel's largely unopposed domination of late.

I do hope we see a more competitive season next year, perhaps Williams can be closer

Lets just say that, well you know how lots of people really dislike Vettel... for me its Hamilton.

But Mercedes was better this year than Red Bull has been the previous three seasons.

Yeah i'd agree on that, lets just hope that everybody can catch up quick! That's if Bernie doesnt kill all but RBR, Merc, McLaren, Ferrari and Williams

As a Kimi fan, this year was horrible to say the least. Hopefully Ferrari improves next season with the LDM regime out, the team is a complete mess right now.

Congrats to Hamilton for the title, respect to Rosberg for taking it to the last race as well.

Porsche Motorsport @PorscheRaces
Welcome to the #porsche919hybrid family @NicoHulkenberg to race in 2015 @24hoursoflemans and Spa @FIAWEC @PorscheNewsroom

Nico Hülkenberg @NicoHulkenberg
Great news! I will also be #Racing for @PorscheRaces at #24hLeMans in 2015. Thanks @TheVijayMallya for the support! #challenge #excited


Tobias Grüner F1 @tgruener
#F1 Official: Nico Hülkenberg will race a Porsche 919 at the 24h Le Mans 2015.


The rumor is Alonso will join him at Porsche for Le Mans and SPA

That would be a pretty formidable team

Mike V 1987 wrote:Porsche Motorsport @PorscheRaces
Welcome to the #porsche919hybrid family @NicoHulkenberg to race in 2015 @24hoursoflemans and Spa @FIAWEC @PorscheNewsroom

Nico Hülkenberg @NicoHulkenberg
Great news! I will also be #Racing for @PorscheRaces at #24hLeMans in 2015. Thanks @TheVijayMallya for the support! #challenge #excited


Tobias Grüner F1 @tgruener
#F1 Official: Nico Hülkenberg will race a Porsche 919 at the 24h Le Mans 2015.


The rumor is Alonso will join him at Porsche for Le Mans and SPA

Nico Hulkengerg,Mark Webber and Alonso..... what a line up that would be

RBR HQ got robbed, a group of individuals drove a vehicle through the front entrance and stole over 60 trophies

http://www.gpupdate.net/en/f1-news/319987/red-bull-trophies-stolen-during-burglary/

if vettel wanted them back im sure he could just ask............


this season was a trial and i think it was [Censored] next season may see the same mercedes may see domincance may not its a trial williams may too

in a formible note ardian knewey is going to ferrari 2016 and thos should mean the eradication of red bulls title wins

So awful for Red Bull, hope they catch whoever did it

"police reports are a short man with a German accent in a red sports car"
lol