Ferrari: Mattiacci would like 3 F1 races in the United States
The sports director of Scuderia Ferrari, Marco Mattiacci, would like Formula 1 to establish a lasting presence on American soil, with, why not, the opportunity to race several other Grand Prix there during the season.
In the midst of an economic crisis, the world of Formula 1 is trying to find survival solutions. Among the big teams, Ferrari is by far the most influential. Through its sporting director, Marco Mattiacci, it advocates for an increase in revenues rather than a better distribution of wealth.
For this, the presence of the discipline on American soil is of utmost importance. Mattiacci even thinks that Formula 1 could take place three times a year in the United States: « We need competitive teams. I’m not talking about small or medium teams. We need competitive teams with a solid business, a solid financial base. At the same time, like any fervent supporter of Formula 1, I think the focus should be on how to increase revenue, how to make the pie bigger. We are here in the United States where we see that F1 is becoming attractive. My goal as a company where 30% of sales are made in the United States is to ensure that we achieve more success in this country. »
Mattiacci knows the subject well since he was the general manager of Ferrari in the United States for a long time before joining the Scuderia at the beginning of the year. He insists that Formula 1 needs to be more present in the United States: I want an additional race in the United States. I want three races in the United States. That’s my proposal, because the American market is essential for generating revenue and attracting sponsors.
According to the Italian, this proposal would allow other new teams to enter the discipline, attracted by its new American exposure: « When you have more revenue, you can certainly talk about having multiple teams on board. Again, I don’t know what the critical mass is for struggling teams, what amount of money they need in order to succeed or be in Formula 1 long-term. Fifty million, one hundred million? I don’t know. It depends on the business model they want to implement. »
For the record, there has long been talk of adding a Grand Prix in New York to the F1 calendar (more precisely, in New Jersey, on the opposite bank of the Hudson) in addition to the GP in Austin, but this possibility now seems to be at an impasse. In 2016, however, an American team is expected to emerge: Haas F1 Team, spearheaded by American billionaire Gene Haas, already involved in motorsport in NASCAR (with Stewart-Haas Racing) and in Formula 1 as a sponsor of Ferrari (which will also supply its hybrid engine).
