If you were to ask an F1 fan which country is really ‘the heart of F1’, they would answer the UK, Italy, or perhaps even Germany or Brazil. Formula 1 started in 1950 at Silverstone Circuit, Northamptonshire. Since then, drivers from the UK have claimed 20 World Drivers Championships. Germany and Brazil have 12 and 8, respectively.
So, it is only fair to call the UK the country that really ‘owns’ F1. But why?
Six out of ten F1 teams are based in the UK: Red Bull, Mercedes, Alpine, Aston Martin and Williams.
These teams, specifically Mercedes and Red Bull, have dominated F1 since the modern era began, showing how the UK is a hub for engineering. The UK and London have access to cutting-edge technology, allowing teams based here to excel compared to their foreign peers.
After all, F1 World Champion Nico Rosberg turned down an offer from Imperial College London, where he was set to study aeronautical engineering, to pursue his F1 career. This shows that London is the ultimate destination for those wanting to become engineers.
Furthermore, London is central to the media aspect of F1. Sky Sports F1, based in the UK, is one of the main broadcasters of F1 and helps to connect fans from all over the world. Famous F1 commentators Martin Brundle and David Croft are also both British, highlighting how F1 media certainly has a British essence to it.
F1 fans from the USA often joke on social media that they have started using British slang like “buzzing” and pronouncing “debris” and “garage” differently, all because the global F1 broadcast uses British commentators. This shows the influence London has on the rest of the F1 world.
While nothing compared to Italy’s passionate ‘tifosi’, British F1 fans are extremely dedicated. In 2017, 100,000 people attended an event called F1 Live in Trafalgar Square, which was a display of F1 cars intermixed with music acts.
There are vast numbers of F1 fans in the UK that watch races on TV and in-person. In 2021, more than 4 million people watched the British Grand Prix on television, while 356,000 attended the race in person.
Those that attended the race in person were a mix of Brits and international fans, but the fact that people came from all over the world to the British Grand Prix emphasises how significant the UK is when it comes to motorsport
I interviewed Kiana Oliver, F1 fan from Surrey, and asked what she had to say. Oliver claimed that “I think London, being the capital of the UK, is a very important city when it comes to F1. You only have to look at global F1 events to be aware of this. Next year the 2025 season car launch event for F1’s 75th anniversary is going to be held in London. I think this shows that London is the home of F1, since it is hosting such a monumental event.”
In conclusion, one could argue that London is the epicentre of F1 because of the UK’s rich history and success in motorsport. Additionally, its media prevalence and massive fan numbers mean the UK really is the focal point of F1.