Formula One won’t really be back until the fans are too

If you thought motorsport relied little on fans, writes Jack de Menezes, then think again – without their passion, F1 loses its soul

(EPA)

It is inevitable that sport will return without fans. From the 92 outstanding Premier League matches, to boxing bouts in purpose-built studios, those who pay the most for the privilege to watch live sport will, for the foreseeable future, have to do so from their living rooms. It is a measure that will take away something that means a great deal to many, yet must be respected for the good of the global population.

Formula One is not exempt from this. On Monday, F1 chief executive Chase Carey confirmed that the plan is to finally start the 2020 season in July, at Austria’s Red Bull Ring, without fans.

Many will assume F1 is a sport unaffected by fans. After all, motorsport involves one of the largest gaps between the stands and the action (for obvious reasons), while home support factor is largely made redundant by the impact of power units, tyre management and aerodynamic performance.