Europeans are losing ground in F1

The situation of Nico Hulkenberg will have had the merit of raising the debate. If the German had impressed by achieving pole position for the Brazilian GP, Williams still thanked his driver for freeing up a steering wheel and finding a replacement with financial support. She will probably hire Pastor Maldonado who is supported by a major Venezuelan oil company.

The economic context plays a big role. The teams and the FIA ​​are seeking to reduce the exorbitant costs but the problem still persists. Teams in financial difficulty are primarily looking for paying drivers, even if these contenders are not the most efficient.

If they can afford it, the teams then look for a compromise. Sauber, for example, chose to focus on Sergio Perez, the vice-champion of GP2, who will arrive as a Rookie in F1 with the financial support of Telmex, a large American telephone operator.

This new direction taken by certain teams has a great influence on the drivers. “There are more cockpits today than in the past,” noted Christian Klien in Vorarlberg Online. “But the pilot market has been invested by many more countries: Russia, India, South Asia and probably Korea and China now. »

This economic context combines with the geographical context. F1, or more precisely its financier Bernie Ecclestone, is looking for new areas of investment by turning to growing markets like Asia. Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Yeongam, Singapore? The list is long and F1 will soon host a new GP in Russia and India.

If F1 is gradually leaving Europe, the Austrian confirms that the situation is getting complicated for drivers from the Old Continent. “It gets really difficult when you’re European. F1 has become internationalized very quickly. Previously, you had good chances when you were a Brit, an Italian or a Frenchman. »

F1 is getting up to date by going global. It is up to Europe to find solutions to maintain a place in the discipline, using its sporting experience to set up programs such as the Red Bull Junior Team.